A two‑day community search in Lawrence County ended with the safe recovery of 6‑year‑old Roman Heilman, authorities said.
Key points
- Roman Heilman was located safe after a coordinated search prompted by an IAN Alert.
- The IAN Alert system targets missing children with autism or mental illness and includes specific outreach tips, such as using familiar songs.
- Lawrence County mobilized volunteers and set up a staging area to assist search efforts, demonstrating community involvement in emergency responses.
Kentucky State Police announced that 6‑year‑old Roman Heilman, who vanished on Sunday afternoon near Tadpole Road in Louisa, has been found safe, concluding a search that lasted nearly two days.
According to the state police and Lawrence County Emergency Management, Roman was last seen between 3:45 and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, wearing a green fur jacket, red‑and‑white monster‑pattern pants and Crocs, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and weighing about 60 pounds.
Community Response
An IAN Alert—used in Kentucky for children with autism or mental illness who are missing and believed to be in danger—was issued for Roman, and officials highlighted that he often responds to the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” encouraging searchers to sing and clap to attract his attention.
Lawrence County Emergency Management opened a volunteer staging area at Richardson Missionary on Highway 1690, across from the old Hinkle Store, beginning Monday, Nov. 2, and asked volunteers to check in before searching to ensure coordinated efforts.
Search Details
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to call 911 or Kentucky State Police Post 14 at 606‑928‑6421, emphasizing the importance of community vigilance and rapid reporting in such emergencies.
Reader questions
What is an IAN Alert?
An IAN Alert is a Kentucky statewide notification used when children under 18 with autism or mental illness go missing and are believed to be in danger, providing details to help locate them quickly.
How can the public help during a missing‑child search?
Officials ask residents to remain on high alert, check yards, outbuildings, vehicles, and surrounding properties, and to volunteer through designated staging areas while coordinating with emergency personnel.
What details were released about Roman Heilman?
Roman is described as a 6‑year‑old boy, blonde hair, blue eyes, about 60 pounds, wearing a green fur jacket, red‑and‑white monster pants and Crocs, and he responds to the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
Source: wkyt.com
