A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Hart County, Kentucky, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, when a young child reported missing was found deceased, according to the Kentucky State Police (KSP).
In a press release issued around 9:20 a.m., KSP confirmed that Silas Chearer, a 5-year-old boy from Cub Run, was found deceased shortly after an extensive search effort was launched. Silas was last seen walking away from his home around 8 a.m. that morning, prompting authorities to issue an Immediate Alert Notification (IAN Alert) at approximately 8:35 a.m. The alert was sent to cellphones across the region, notifying the public of the urgent situation.
Silas, described as a 4-foot-tall white male with blonde hair and blue eyes, was non-verbal and autistic, which raised concerns about his safety and potential vulnerability. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing pajamas with a milk and cookie design. The IAN Alert, designed specifically to locate missing children with special needs such as autism, emphasized that Silas might be in danger and urged anyone with information to contact 911 immediately.
At around 9:08 a.m., KSP issued a follow-up alert stating that Silas had been located. Tragically, a subsequent news release clarified that the young boy was found deceased in the Cub Run area of Hart County. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been disclosed, with KSP stating that no additional details are available at this time.
“KSP grieves with this family and the community,” the agency said in its release, expressing their sorrow over the devastating outcome.
The IAN Alert system, named after Ian Sousis, a northern Kentucky boy with autism who tragically drowned after wandering away, is a critical tool for locating missing children with intellectual disabilities or mental illness. This incident marks a somber moment for Hart County, as the community mourns the loss of young Silas Chearer.
