Community Volunteers, Thermal Drone Locate Missing Autistic Man in Texas Park After Frigid 12-Hour Ordeal

ARLINGTON, Texas — What began as a father-son bicycle ride through the sprawling River Legacy Park this week descended into a parent’s worst nightmare before culminating in a community-powered rescue that family members are calling nothing short of miraculous.

Jacob Bates, 24, who is autistic, vanished from sight on the park’s trails during an outing with his father, Scot, on the afternoon of February 23. The 1,300-acre urban wilderness, home to dense thickets and wildlife including coyotes and bobcats, posed a severe threat as temperatures plunged toward freezing after nightfall.

After an hour of frantic searching, Scot Bates and his daughter Emily alerted the Arlington Police Department. Authorities launched a coordinated search using officers on foot, drones, and a helicopter. When initial sweeps failed to locate Jacob, officials put out a public call for volunteer assistance.

The appeal reached David Dedwylder, a 51-year-old local real estate agent and seasoned outdoorsman familiar with the park's challenging terrain. Recognizing the limitations of standard search methods in the dense brush, Dedwylder theorized a thermal-imaging drone might be the key. His hunch led him to Chance Sauser, 34, a drone company owner in Rowlett.

"He told me, 'I think you might be this kid’s only hope,'" Sauser recalled of the early-morning call. "When you hear that, you don't think twice." Despite the 90-minute drive, Sauser mobilized immediately, meeting Dedwylder at the park around 3 a.m.

Guided by local knowledge and intuition, the pair focused their search on an area previously overlooked by official efforts. As dawn approached and Sauser's drone battery dwindled to its final minutes, a thermal signature finally appeared on the screen—a human form, standing still.

"He asked if Jake was wearing blue. I said yes," said Scot Bates, the moment he learned his son had been spotted. "Then I knew he was okay."

Reaching Jacob required cutting through a chain-link fence and navigating head-high brambles in pitch darkness, guided only by the drone's live feed. They called his name repeatedly until they heard a reply.

"I’ll never forget hearing him yell back," said Jacob's uncle, Tim Gundlach, who assisted in the final push. "We knew then he was alive."

When they reached him nearly 12 hours after he disappeared, Jacob was found grinning, seemingly unharmed but chilled. He was later checked at a hospital and released, physically unscathed by his long night in the cold.

"These men didn't know us from Adam, but what they did made all the difference," Tim Gundlach told PEOPLE. "We feel it’s a miracle."

For the rescuers, the experience was profoundly affecting. "The story of Jacob is one that will stick with me forever," said Dedwylder. Sauser, whose investment in advanced drone technology was validated by the rescue, added, "This recovery paid it all off in my mind. You never know why you're led to certain things."

Community Voices

Marcus Chen, a local school counselor: "This story highlights the critical gap that compassionate, equipped citizens can fill. It's a powerful case for community emergency response networks and accessible technology."

Eleanor Vance, advocate for disability inclusion: "While the outcome is joyful, it underscores the urgent need for better safety protocols and resources for individuals with autism in public spaces. Wandering incidents are a major concern for many families."

Derrick Miller, a park regular (sharper tone): "A 'miracle'? It was sheer luck and two decent guys. Where was the organized search grid? The immediate thermal drone deployment from authorities? This was a systemic near-failure bailed out by private citizens. Next time we might not be so 'lucky.'"

Rebecca Torres, neighbor: "It restores your faith in people. In the middle of the night, strangers dropped everything to help a family they'd never met. That's the real Texas spirit."

Read the original report on PEOPLE.