ONTONAGON COUNTY, Mich. — An 8-year-old boy from Wisconsin was found safe Monday after he went missing while camping with his family in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, according to the Hurley School District.
Nante Niemi, the formerly missing boy, is a second-grade student at the school.
"Words can not describe the emotions and joy the students and staff are experiencing at this moment," said Hurley School District in a Facebook post after Niemi was found safe on Monday.
Michigan State Police (MSP) said Niemi was found near and under a log about two miles from the family's campsite, where he'd been the entire time. Police say he appears to be in good health and has been reunited with his family.
MSP said Niemi went missing on Saturday around 1 p.m., at the park, which is near the western Upper Peninsula. MSP said that initial reports indicate Niemi was walking and gathering firewood for their campsite when we went missing.
More than 150 search and rescue crews from MSP, some local police partners and K9s swept the 40-square-mile area on foot, with some efforts taking place in the air and in the water to find Niemi. The Hurley School District in Wisconsin said at the time said it was also willing to send volunteers if authorities need additional searchers.
Police said the terrain in the area is “very remote and hilly” and that there is quite a bit of standing water because of the time of year. They also said several roads are still “impassable” due to the amount of snow still there.