Ten-year-old Peyton Saintignan is safe and back at home after a day long search Sunday (9/15) involving many law enforcement agencies and hundreds of volunteers.
Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said the young girl was found at 11 p.m. Sunday with the aid of thermal imaging-equipped drones offered by a Magnolia, Arkansas company that heard of the search and offered assistance.
“She was in dense woods roughly 300 yards from where a trail camera had recorded her earlier Sunday morning,” Parker said. “She was asleep when we found her. We’ve had her checked by EMS and she is fine, back at home and hungry.”
Parker said he was contacted by Drone Management Services LLC of Magnolia with the offer of assistance from their specially equipped drones. A member of the company learned of the search from his brother-in-law, a Minden resident.
“We had the DeSoto Parish helicopter in the air and couldn’t put drones up at the time, but when it was possible, Josh Klober, Matt Ramos and Micah Carter brought their equipment and successfully located the young girl,” Parker said.
During the intense search, a large number of agencies provided personnel and equipment. Those included the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, Minden Police Dept., Minden Fire Dept., Homeland Security, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, David Wade Correction Chase Team and LA Wildlife and Fisheries.
Also, the Louisiana State Police, Webster Parish School Board, Advanced Ambulance, Daubery Police Dept., Dixie Inn Police Department Crossroads Canine Search and Rescue and numerous other drone and dog teams.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled we all are to have a happy ending to this,” Parker said. “A lot of prayers were answered today.
“And, I want especially to thank all the agencies who helped bring Peyton safely home, and all the volunteers who gave their time and efforts. This was truly a cooperative effort.” - Webster Parish Sheriff's Office (Louisiana) on Facebook