Trooper and K-9 Partner Successfully Locate Missing Teen Amid Snowstorm
January 31, 2026
A teenager with autism, who was reported missing in Maryland, was found safe thanks to the quick and coordinated efforts of local police and a state trooper’s skilled K-9 during a severe winter storm.
Image: Taylor Bracken and K9 Margo / Bel Air Police Dept.
Authorities reported that the 15-year-old boy left his residence on Sunday morning, January 25, without notifying his family. The region was experiencing harsh winter weather, including snow and below-freezing temperatures, creating potentially hazardous conditions for the missing teen.
Bel Air Police immediately commenced a search, tracing the boy’s footprints in the snow and gathering information from witnesses. As the search continued, concerns intensified due to nearby water bodies that could pose additional risks. Consequently, multiple law enforcement agencies joined the effort.
Bel Air police chief Charles Moore explained, “There is a tendency for people who suffer from autism to want to find a body of water. 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.”
Senior Trooper Taylor Bracken of the Maryland State Police, alongside his bloodhound K-9 partner, Margo, was called to assist in the search. Demonstrating her tracking capability, Margo guided the team to the boy, who was found approximately a mile from his home in a wooded area.
Bodycam footage captured the poignant moment of the teenager’s discovery. When queried about his wellbeing, he responded simply, “Cold.”
Afterward, the teenager was reunited with his family and escorted to a hospital for precautionary medical evaluation.
The community quickly lauded the police officers and K-9 team for their determination and effectiveness, particularly given the harsh weather conditions. Police highlighted that the positive outcome resulted from coordinated teamwork, swift action, and specialized resources converging when most needed.
Watch the bodycam footage below:
