“LANDON HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE!!”

That’s the word from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a Friday night and Saturday morning search for missing 10-year-old Landon Smith.

Police said the child slept overnight in a wooded area several blocks from his home and was walking near the wood line when Sheriff Keith Merritt spotted him.

“Even though Landon appears OK, Acadian Ambulance has been called for an assessment,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “We appreciate all the prayers and we are happy to report Landon is now home safe!”

That was the news at approximately 8:30 a.m. Saturday after the Sheriff’s Office announced publicly at 3:55 a.m. Saturday he was missing.

Police said Landon Smith had been missing since 8 p.m. Friday.

Deputies searched on foot and were assisted by a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.