Police Give Update As Dad, 22-Month-Old Son Found Safe After 24-Hour Search

McHENRY, IL — A missing 36-year-old McHenry man and his 22-month-old son were found safe Sunday after police received reports that they had not returned from a walk the previous day.

Todd Sabatini and his son, Theo, left their home in the 1700 block of Brown Street around noon Saturday, according to the McHenry Police Department. Family members told police that Sabatini was taking his son for a walk, which was considered a normal activity, but they became concerned when the two had not returned by about 4 p.m., police said.

Police began a welfare check after learning Sabatini did not have the provisions necessary for an extended outing with his young son. The stroller the child had been using was also found behind a business in the 4200 block of Elm Street, according to authorities.

Investigators determined Sabatini and his son had obtained a rideshare to the Salem Lakes, Wisconsin, area before eventually traveling to the Greenfield Police Department near Milwaukee. They arrived there around 2 p.m. Saturday, where Sabatini spoke with an officer before leaving the area on foot with his son, police said.

Tips from community members helped investigators determine that Sabatini and the child had been seen in the Milwaukee area seeking food and other necessities. On Sunday, investigators learned the pair had been seen aboard a Milwaukee public bus.

With assistance from Milwaukee County Transit System employees, McHenry police detectives located Sabatini and his son safely. They were transported back to McHenry, provided with appropriate services and reunited with family members, authorities said Monday.

The investigation remains ongoing, but no criminal charges are being sought at this time, police said.