Missing Child and Dog Found Safe After Massive Search Near Luray
LURAY, Va. — A child missing for several hours on Monday was found safe after a massive multiple-agency effort.
At approximately 1:17 p.m. on June 22, 2026, the Page County Emergency Communications Center received a report that a child was missing in the Jeremiah’s Run area.
According to a written statement from the Page County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the child had wandered away while playing in nearby woods with siblings and had not returned.
The child was unfamiliar with the area, and the parents had searched for about three hours before calling 911.
Deputies learned the child was last seen with a dog named Shack, who was also missing.
Since the Jeremiah’s Run area is near the Shenandoah National Park (SNP) boundary, National Park Service personnel were also asked to assist.
At approximately 6:26 p.m., SNP rangers located the child at Mathews Arm Campground, MP 22 on Skyline Drive — several miles from the original location.
Authorities said Shack had faithfully remained with the child throughout the ordeal, which had included a severe thunderstorm.
After being evaluated by emergency medical personnel, the child was happily reunited with family members.
The PCSO and SNP rangers were assisted by bloodhound teams from the Warren, Shenandoah and Rockingham county Sheriff’s Offices; Rockingham County Fire and Rescue; the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative Drone Team; Virginia Conservation Police; Page County Fire and Rescue; Page County Emergency Services; Page County Emergency Communications Center; the Stanley Police Department; Page County Public Schools; private citizens using UTVs and ATVs; and resources from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.