Missing Indiana Kids Found Safe: Sheriff

Updated:

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, IN — A missing brother and sister from Washington Township were located safe on Monday afternoon, the Porter County Sheriff's Office said. Police said Samuel Orshonsky, 9, and his little sister, Charley Orshonsky, 7, were found just before 4:30 p.m. "The children came out of hiding when they saw a citizen that was walking the perimeter of Victory Christian Academy at 360 N 325 E.," police said.

The children told officers they had been hiding in a pine tree near the school and left their bags — which they'd taken after they were last seen at their home just before midnight — under some leaves.

Multiple agencies were involved in the search for the children, and more than "a hundred officers searched the area on foot, by phone and many by means of air via helicopter and drones," police said.

The Porter County Sheriff's Office extended thanks to "Porter County Search and Rescue (as well as their K9), Valparaiso Police Department (and their K9), Lake County Sheriff’s Office Eagle 1, Agents with the F.B.I, Washington Township Fire Department, Indiana Conservation Officers, Indiana State Police and K9, Porter County EMA and their Mobile Command, Portage Police Department, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office (and their K9’s), Hobart Police Department and Porter County Central Communications."

Police added, "We are grateful for all the concerns from area residents, the sharing on social media, the media for helping us to spread the information and the food and water that came to the Washington Township Fire department to keep our crews hydrated and fueled."

Original story:

Police are searching for a 9-year-old boy and his 7-year-old sister after the children went missing early Monday in rural Washington Township. The Porter County Sheriff's Office said Samuel Orshonsky and his little sister, Charley Orshonsky, were last seen at around midnight by their mother at their home in the area of Streamwood Drive and CR 325 E.

Police said bags were missing from their closet, along with clothing. K-9 units and the Porter County Sheriff's Office Drone were being used to search the area.

Samuel is described as white and roughly 5 feet tall and 70 pounds with short blond hair and black framed glasses. He was last seen wearing light blue, one-piece abominable snowman pajamas. Charley is a white female standing around 4'10" and weighing 56 pounds, with wavy, shoulder-length, dirty blond hair, brown eyes and partially missing front teeth. She was last seen wearing a "My Pony" one-piece pajama outfit. It is unknown if they are still in their pajamas or wearing different clothing, police said.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of these children or has seen them, is asked to call the Porter County Sheriff’s Office at 219-477-3170.