14 September, 2016
The Hopkinton Police Department is happy to announce that 2 missing children were quickly located today after reports that they had not arrived at their bus stop. The children were found unharmed in their neighborhood.
At 10:23AM today, The Hopkinton Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call from the Hopkinton Center School reporting that 2 children were not present at school today. The children were determined to be missing during the early attendance check.
The children were identified as brother and sister, age 7 and 5. It was learned that the children were last known to be going to the bus stop a short distance from their home.
Police and Fire units were immediately dispatched to both the school and the residence of the children. Hopkinton School Superintendent Cathy MacLeod was notified. Police Chief Lee and Fire Chief Slaman established a command post at the residence. Additional resources were requested from the Ashland Police and the Massachusetts State Police. Both agencies dispatched personnel and K9 units. Chief Lee notified the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Brian Herr.
The children were located at 10:54AM by public safety personnel. It was quickly learned that the children had missed the bus and did not return home.
According to Chief Lee, “I’m happy that the children were found unharmed... today served as an excellent test of our combined response to serious incidents. I am pleased with the way the public safety and school department worked together today.”
Chief Lee and Chief Slaman met with Superintendent MacLeod after the incident to debrief. A formal debrief will be held next week with the administrative staff.
