Jacob Allen Missing Since Sunday
October 16, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
18-year-old Jacob Allen has been missing since Sunday afternoon, when he wandered ahead of his parents while hiking in Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Jacob has autism, is non-verbal, and physically fit. From WDTV news:
…Jacob might not know that he’s being considered “lost.” Family and friends say Jacob also has severe autism and doesn’t speak. Even if searchers are close to him, he’s not able to yell back.
A search is being carried out over a 10-square mile area covered in brush and with steep terrain. Rescuers have been shouting promises of candy and food and Jacob’s parents, Jim and Karen Allen, have brought his pillowcase for rescue dogs to sniff—I can barely imagine how they are feeling.
Thinking a lot about them and Jacob.
We’ll be praying hard for Jacob and his family. Let’s hope they find him, find him quick, and find he’s fine.
Ditto, Joeymom!
Yes, yes, hoping.
Very quick!
Oh, I hope he’s ok. Thinking of him and his family.
This is killing me. I keep searching for a newer story, one that tells me he’s been found and is okay.
I blogged about him today myself. We “lost” our Mia while on vacation last week. 30 minutes of terror. I can’t imagine what the Allen’s must be going through. I keep clicking Yahoo for news about him, sort of hoping there is no news, if you know what I mean. I hope the guardian angel who returned Mia to us is looking for Jacob right now.
Best,
KIM
I live in the area where Jacob is missing. I am one of many volunteers that is searching for him..
I hope and pray that he is found safe. He has an angel right there beside him no matter what…….
I will not stop searching and praying until he is found….
Jessica
(Keep him in your prayers!!)
Jessica, how was the search today? I hope Jacob’s parents are holding up—-our thoughts and prayers are with them, very much.
Kim, talk about 30 awful minutes…….very glad to know it was only 30 minutes.
I live directly behind the Allen’s, we share a backyard fence. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met and am thinking about them all day every day. I continue praying that he can be found soon and come home. It kills me to see their dark house.
I just got back last after searching for a few days. We need fresh people to keep on it and find this young man. If you can’t search, pray.
All thoughts and prayers to Jacob—thank you for writing here and please let his parents know how many people are thinking of them, and of Jacob.
i was jacob’s care giver for four years i was out searching for him for a few days untill i had to go back to tn, but i continue to pray for jacob and his family
The Allens live next door to my parents in Morgantown. From the few times I have met them, I know how wonderful they are. I now live in NC and continue to keep up with the story…even though it is incredibly heart-breaking. They are in my thoughts and prayers…and I have people all over the state of NC (and throughout the country) praying for Jacob and his family. I pray that he is found and that his family has the strength to endure this heart-breaking nightmare. Continue to PRAY…continue to HOPE…that Jacob Allen is safely returned to his family.
My son is only 9 years old and mildly autistic. We had him walk off once. I remember the pure terror I felt when I looked and looked and looked and could not find him. We did find him. He had wandered off to look at something that caught his eye.
I am praying for this young man that they will find him well.
Jacob Allen has been found and he is alive!!!!
With all due respect, “Here. . “, is there a link for updated info? I just want to be able to confirm this news before I comment on it. I’m very interested.
If this is true, then I’m very happy for Jacob and his family. I hope he is not hurt or upset too badly.
He was found today, and he is ok!!! thank god.. we were all praying for his safe return. He attended my high school and we donated $1500 just yesterday
As a parent of an autistic son named Jacob, I am THRILLED to announce….THEY FOUND HIM!!!!
He’s home with his family and safe!
Thank you God for your mercy!!!!!!!
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j2tRlDB4n39Sg3OlhmOcimGk2pcQD8SBSJ8O1
The news article
I can not even imagine what these parents have been through, I prayed for him every day. My daughter attends MHS and I am so proud of how this school pulled together to help this family in any way that they could. I said a prayer to God and thanked him for keeping him safe and returning him to his family. This truley is a miracle and a blessing!
I am so happy for Jacob and his family. We had been praying for them since we first heard the news he was missing.
Love from all of us here in Alabama.
we are so happy Jacob is home. We had been praying for him to return home safe. May God bless your family. San Francisco, CA
I am so happy Jacob is safe and back with his family! Both my husband and I began praying the night we heard about him missing. Jacob is truly a Gift from God! Bless him and his family!
KimJ,
I’m sorry I was unable to post a link at that time. I work at Canaan Valley Resort where the search “headquarters” was located. We (the employees) were informed at the same time as the media. I just happen to be quicker than they are.
Congrats to the Allen family! We all are very happy that Jacob was found and reunited with you!
Here in Tucker Co.,
thank you so much for posting here as soon as you heard! It was such a relief to know he is okay and back home.