Missing Warsaw Boy Found in Moniteau County
The Montieau County Sheriff's Office says a 4-year-old boy that authorities have been searching for since early Sunday morning has been found. The sheriff's office posted on Facebook that 4-year-old Grayson Darnell and his mother, 35-year-old Julie Darnell, were located in Moniteau County. The Benton County Sheriff's Office says that Grayson Darnell is "safe and healthy."
An Endangered Person Advisory was issued for Grayson Darnell after Julie Darnell, a non-custodial parent, allegedly took him from his custodial grandparents in Warsaw in the early morning hours of July 29. A search was conducted in Moniteau County for the boy on July 30 after the suspect's vehicle was located on Route C, and a passer-by reported seeing a woman and small child walking through an open field and into the woods. The missing child was not located at that time.
The Moniteau County Sheriff's Office says in a news release that their office received a call on August 1 from a concrete truck driver who said that a woman and small child had flagged him down and asked for a ride. The truck driver stalled and called 911. Deputies arrived on the scene and made contact with the woman and child, who were determined to be Julie and Grayson Darnell.
Grayson Darnell was taken to a local hospital and was released with no apparent injuries. Julie Darnell was taken into custody on multiple outstanding warrants and is currently in the Moniteau County Jail.