Jacksonville boys found safe after JSO search

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A helicopter searched a Westside neighborhood Tuesday as officers went door to door, searching for two 9-year-old boys.

The boys hadn’t been seen since 7:30 p.m. Monday, when they told their parents they were staying at each other’s houses.

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Family members called police around 1:30 a.m. when one mom realized that was not the case.

“We started worrying whenever she realized neither one was at where they were supposed to be,” one boy’s aunt, Kim Owensby, said.

Owensby said family members also went knocking on doors and tried to track one boy by his phone.

Just after 9 a.m., the boys were spotted walking down the road toward their homes.

Action News Jax cameras were rolling as families hugged them tight, thankful they weren’t hurt.

Owensby said the boys took a trail through the woods behind their neighborhood to their friend’s house.

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Their friends’ mom had just checked her phone.

“Unfortunately, she didn’t have her phone on. When she did check her messages and realized she said, ‘Oh my goodness. They are here, and I just made them go home,’” Owensby said.

She said the experience is a reminder to parents to keep a close eye on young kids.

“Just knowing where they are, being accountable, know their friends,” she said.

Cox Media Group