Missing Two-Year-Old Found Unharmed After Large-Scale Forest Search

A wildlife camera installed just hours earlier provided the critical clue that led to the boy's safe recovery in Hornberg, Ortenaukreis.

The two-year-old boy was found unharmed approximately 1.2 kilometers from his home in Hornberg late Tuesday evening after a six-hour search.
The search operation mobilized 500 personnel, including police, firefighters, Red Cross teams, and 200 volunteers, alongside helicopters, drones, and rescue dogs.
A wildlife camera installed only hours before captured an image of the boy, which redirected search efforts and was described as the decisive clue by officials.
The search area spanned 2.5 square kilometers of dense forest with challenging conditions, including darkness, cold temperatures, and nearby water bodies.
Hornberg's mayor highlighted the fortunate timing of the wildlife camera's installation, calling the boy's rescue a 'fortunate outcome' of community collaboration and rapid response.