MORGANTON, NC – June 5, 2026 – An adult autistic male who walked away from his residence on Bethel Road on the evening of June 4, 2026, was located safely after an extensive multi-agency search effort.
At approximately 5:00 p.m., caretakers contacted the Burke County Emergency Communications Center to report that the individual had left his residence and his whereabouts were unknown. Officers with Morganton Public Safety responded to the area of Eastview Street near Sossoman Funeral Home after receiving information regarding the male's last known location.
Officers immediately began canvassing the areas surrounding Eastview Street, Bethel Street, and East Fleming Drive. As the search expanded, Morganton Public Safety deployed a K-9 Unit and conducted extensive ground searches in the area. Search teams were also deployed into the wooded areas behind Sossoman Funeral Home.
Burke County Emergency Management and Rescue Squad assisted with search and rescue operations, including the deployment of drone technology to aid in locating the missing individual. Additional search and rescue personnel worked alongside public safety officials throughout the operation.
The County also utilized its emergency reverse 911 notification system to alert residents and solicit assistance from the community.
As a result of the coordinated search effort, the male was located on East Fleming Drive. Emergency Medical Services evaluated the individual on scene and transported him to UNC Health Blue Ridge for further evaluation. He was found without injuries.
Morganton Public Safety extends its appreciation to Burke County Emergency Services, Emergency Medical Services, Burke County Rescue Squad, and community members who assisted in the search and contributed to the successful outcome.