Missing child found in forest after 16-hour search

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

Family members embrace Baran Çelik, the child who had went missing.

A four-year-old boy was found 16 hours after he went missing in a forested area in Istanbul’s Sarıyer district, where his family was picnicking.

Baran Çelik was sleeping in the forest in the Kemerburgaz neighborhood when he was found by his uncles. He was hospitalized in the Okmeydanı district for general health checks. His father told reporters that he did not say anything after he was rescued.

Dr. Vefik Arıca told reporters June 16 the boy’s general health was good, but they would keep him in hospital for 48 hours. “His blood pressure and glucose were low as he was asleep for many hours alone. We have performed the necessary treatments regarding that.  His general situation is good. There are a few signs of trauma,” said Arıca.

Katibe Çelik, 33, mother of the boy, said she was very happy and called on all families to be cautious with their children.

The Çelik family went to the picnic organized by the Batman’s residents association in Kemerburgaz forestry area on June 15. Baran Çelik went missing at around 4:30 p.m. His family’s search was for naught and they called for rescue and search teams.

The rescue teams first removed water from a nearby pool in search of the child. After the pool was cleared, they focused on searching in the forest area.  Despite efforts, the little boy could not be found all night.After hours of work, some civilians said they had seen a trace of a children’s shoe in a location 2.5-kilometers away from the picnic area where Baran was lost. He was found sleeping there at approximately 8.39 a.m. June 16