Missing Teen Found In Snowstorm Thanks To A Trooper And His K-9

January 31, 2026

A missing 15-year-old boy with autism was safely located in Maryland thanks to the determined efforts of local police and a state trooper’s highly trained K-9 partner during a dangerous winter storm.

Taylor Bracken and K9 Margo / Bel Air Police Dept.

According to authorities, the teen left his home on the morning of Sunday, January 25, without his family’s knowledge. At the time, the area was facing severe weather, including snow-covered ground and sub-freezing temperatures — conditions police described as potentially life-threatening.

Bel Air Police officers immediately launched a search, following footprints in the snow and speaking with witnesses. As concerns grew, especially due to nearby waterways that could pose additional risks, the search expanded to include multiple law enforcement agencies.

"There is a tendency for people who suffer from autism to want to find a body of water," said Bel Air police chief Charles Moore. "There's a stream through [where the teenager was], there's a few ponds also. So, we had a lot of concern that he might be heading toward one of those locations."

Maryland State Police Senior Trooper Taylor Bracken and his bloodhound partner, K-9 Margo, were called in to assist. Using her tracking skills, Margo worked alongside officers and helped lead the team to the teen, who was found in a wooded area about a mile away from his home.

Body camera footage captured the emotional moment the boy was located. When asked how he was feeling, he simply replied, “Cold.”

He was reunited with his family and taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation as a precaution.

Community members quickly praised the officers and K-9 team for their efforts, especially given the brutal weather conditions. Police later emphasized that the successful outcome was the result of teamwork, rapid response, and specialized resources coming together when it mattered most.

Watch the bodycam footage below: