METROPOLIS, IL — The Massac County Sheriff’s Office says a 3-year-boy was found safe after he left his home and followed his dog into a wooded area and became lost Wednesday morning.

According to Massac County Sheriff Chad Kaylor, the sheriff’s office responded around 11:40 a.m. to the 3900 block of Staton Ridge Road for a missing juvenile.

It was determined that the boy had left the home heading in an unknown direction. A search of the area was quickly started.

Members of the Massac County Fire Department, Metropolis Police Department, Illinois Conservation Police and the Illinois State Police joined the search.

 The Massac County Emergency Management drone was utilized in searching the area. Many volunteers arrived and began searching.

At 1:41 p.m., a volunteer located the missing child about a quarter mile from the home.

The child was not injured and in good health. As a precaution, the child was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

More than 100 people participated in the search and recovery of the child.