Now that Greenwood County deputies have confirmed the identity of an autistic teenager found at the Beaumont rest area, an investigation continues into exactly how he got there.
Sheriff Heath Samuels says the teenager was found at the US Highway 400 rest area just before 6 am Thursday. He appeared to be lost.
Deputies determined he appeared to be a non-verbal autistic individual, so they took him to Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka for medical clearance and then took him to the Sheriff’s Office.
It took until around 9 pm for a possible identity to develop. Deputies are not releasing the teen’s name, but they say he is a 17-year-old from Oklahoma.
Samuels thanked the public for helping to ID the juvenile.
9:30 pm Thursday: Greenwood County deputies say man’s identity determined
Greenwood County deputies say a man found walking along a highway in the southern part of the county Thursday morning has been identified.
The person was found around 6 am on US Highway 400 near the Beaumont rest area. Deputies say they had trouble identifying him because he can’t talk or write and also has special needs
The man’s name and age have not been released.
6 pm Thursday: Greenwood County deputies seeking help in determining man’s identity
In many cases, when law enforcement asks for help with a case, they need help finding somebody. Greenwood County deputies are in the middle of an investigation where they have somebody in their care and they don’t know who that person is.
Deputies say a white male was found around 6 am Thursday walking on US Highway 400 near the Beaumont rest area. The man is around 6 feet tall and 220 pounds. He has special needs and can’t talk or write, according to Sheriff Heath Samuels.
If you have information about this man’s identity, call the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office at 620-583-5568.
