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Miracle as missing six-year-old boy is found alive in wooded mountains amid desperate three-day search by team of volunteers on horseback

Miracle as missing six-year-old boy is found alive in wooded mountains amid desperate three-day search by team of volunteers on horseback

A six-year-old boy who wandered from his family home was found alive on Tuesday after a massive three-day search that included volunteers on horseback.    

Roman Heilman, 6, a non-verbal autistic boy, went missing from his home in Louisa, Kentucky, on Sunday afternoon. 

The child was believed to have walked away from his parents near his home on Tadpole Road around 4pm on November 1, according to Kentucky State Police (KSP). 

He was found by the team of horse riders on Tuesday after an extensive search that is now being hailed as a 'miracle'. 

He had scratches, believed to be from thorny plants, and was found without clothing. 

Rescue crews initially found Roman's diapers, pants and jacket that he wore the day he went missing.  

Jacob Mullins, a Louisiana horse trail rider, and Patrick Finley, a West Virginia welder, teamed up to help search for the boy on Tuesday. 

Mullins told the Lexington Herald-Leader, he and Finley were accompanied by a team of ten horse trail riders all eager to find Roman. 

'We were all on horses in the woods before daylight. And we rode the horses a total of 14- plus miles, trekking around trying to find him,' Mullins told the outlet.  

They told the outlet the non-verbal boy walked straight out into the bushes, alongside a small dog about a mile and a half away from his home. 

'He came out of the bushes saying "E-I-E-I-O horsey." He just walked right out of the bushes over onto a horse trail,' Mullins told the outlet. 

Mullins explained to the outlet that they provided water and snacks to Roman before wrapping him up in a sweatshirt and carrying him on horseback down the mountain.  

According to Kentucky State Police department, the child may have walked away from his parents on Tadpole Road around 4pm on November 1. Source: Facebook/@Jacob Mullins

The K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc were deployed to the area with other local residents. Source: Facebook/@Jacob Mullins

Jacob Mullins, a Louisiana horse trail rider, and Patrick Finley, (pictured) a West Virginia welder, said the non-verbal boy walked straight out the bushes, alongside a small dog about a mile and half away from his home. Source: Facebook/@Patrick Finley

An IAN Alert, used for when children under the age of 18 with autism or mental illness go missing and may be in danger, was issued shortly after his family alerted authorities.

'What was witnessed the last two days was nonstop caring and a true miracle,' Lawrence County School said. 

'Massive thank you needs to go to everyone who stepped up, especially Travis Hughes, the Lawrence County emergency management Director and his whole crew.' 

On Monday morning, the Lawrence County KY Emergency Management sent an announcement recruiting volunteers to aid their ongoing search efforts. 

The K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc was deployed to the area with other local residents. 

'Alongside hundreds of first responders and volunteers we witnessed something today that words simply cannot describe. Prayers were answered, hope became reality, and a true miracle unfolded before our eyes,' K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc. said. 

'Great things happen when people come together. Butt naked, scratched from head to toe and was still in good spirits when he come out of the bushes,' Mullins wrote in a Facebook statement 

K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc. explained that the search took an 'incredible amount of coordination, dedication, and compassion,' from their community. Source: Facebook/@Roberta Endicott-Cantrell

Mullins explained that they provided water and snacks to Roman before wrapping him up in sweatshirt and carrying him on horseback down the mountain. Source: Facebook/@Jacob Mullins

Mullins confirmed to the outlet that when he left Roman with medical professionals in an ambulance he was in 'good shape, just a little dehydrated.' 

K9 Search & Rescue Services of West Virginia Inc. explained that the search took an 'incredible amount of coordination, dedication, and compassion.' 

They explained that over the two-day time period, law enforcement, fire department drone operators and helicopter pilots all came together for the search mission. 

'We want to acknowledge the incredible equine team who located the child and helped bring this search to the outcome we had all been praying for,' K9 Search & Rescue Services said.  

'Their dedication, determination, and willingness to navigate difficult terrain were instrumental in bringing him home.' 

Roman Heilman, 6, a non-verbal autistic boy, went missing from his home in Louisa, Kentucky on November 1 and was found naked and full of scratches by a team of horse riders two days later

A Lawrence County School spokesperson wrote a statement on Facebook celebrating the announcement of Roman being found. 

'So many great Lawrence County people who dropped everything to help. People gave up their own time; walked, rode, or flew over these hills; brought food and supplies in an amount unimaginable; open their wallets to buy resources; and did whatever was asked. The people of Lawrence County showed up big-time. That's community,' Lawrence County School wrote in a Facebook statement. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to KSP, Jacob Mullins and Patrick Finley for comments.  

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Blake Lively looked as if she had some new pep in her step when she was spotted out in New York City on Tuesday night in a stunning little black dress.

The 39-year-old Gossip Girl star was spotted out in Manhattan's Upper East Side for an event celebrating the launch of jeweler Brent Neale's new holiday collection, according to E! News.

Although Lively was reportedly joined by friends, her husband Ryan Reynolds, 50, didn't appear by her side.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Lively's representative for comment but hasn't yet heard back. 

Lively – who recently revealed her over-the-top beauty regimen – channeled classic glamour in her skimpy black dress, which was decorated with glittering sequins.

The off-the-shoulder minidress featured a playful black bow that covered her cleavage for a touch of modesty.

Blake Lively looked as if she had some new pep in her step when she was spotted out in New York City on Tuesday night in a stunning little black dress

The 39-year-old Gossip Girl star was spotted out in Manhattan's Upper West Side for an event celebrating the launch of jeweler Brent Neale's new holiday collection, according to E! News

Lively – who recently revealed her over-the-top beauty regimen – channeled classic glamour in her skimpy black dress, which was decorated with glittering sequins

Lively's short skirt showcased her toned legs, which culminated in clear Louboutins that strapped around her ankles and featured black-tipped toes.

The It Ends with Us star, who is stepping out in the wake of her bruising legal drama with her former costar and director Justin Baldoni, wore her long blond hair in dramatic waves cascading down her shoulders.

She completed her glamorous ensemble with a simple black leather hobo handbag, and she added some extra sparkle with dangling earrings and multiple enormous sparkling rings.

Lively looked as if she was on top of the world as she beamed for photographers outside the shindig.

The outing comes after Lively revealed the secrets of the beauty regimen she uses to look as if she's in the 'first trimester of life' last week.

The actress took to her Instagram Story to share a candid clip of the nighttime routine she uses to maintain her 'natural beauty.'

She appeared to be wearing headgear with red-light therapy over her hair, in addition to a sheet mask with extra pieces she had pasted to her bare face. 

The Gossip Girl alumna was also bundled up in a brown fleece hoodie while seemingly winding down for the night with her beauty routine.

The off-the-shoulder minidress featured a playful black bow that covered her cleavage for a touch of modesty

Lively's short skirt showcased her toned legs, which culminated in clear Louboutins that strapped around her ankles and featured black-tipped toes

The It Ends with Us star wore her long blond hair in dramatic waves cascading down her shoulders

She completed her glamorous ensemble with a simple black leather hobo handbag

Lively added some extra sparkle with dangling earrings and multiple enormous sparkling rings

Lively looked as if she was on top of the world as she beamed for photographers outside the shindig

The outing comes after Lively revealed the secrets of her beauty regimen last week

She joked that her go-to products make her look as if she's in the 'first trimester of life'

The actress took to her Instagram Story to share a candid clip of the nighttime routine she uses to maintain her 'natural beauty' 

Lively gave a glimpse into her cozy wind-down routine shortly after the drama involving her film It Ends With Us and her director and costar Justin Baldoni. 

'Natural beauty is effortless,' she quipped at the bottom of her post, which pictured her taking a deep breath while the mask covered her face.

Lively also drew thought bubbles around her face, and in one, she wrote: 'If I don't look like I'm in the first trimester of life after this much effort I quit.' 

She continued: 'I miss the 2000s when we just used that handsoap with fish characters on it on our face & called it a day.' 

The Gossip Girl star also noted the lights in the background of her room in another thought bubble: 'My kids' star projector that I stole is a vibe tho.'

She set her candid post to the tune of Fergie and Ludacris' 2006 smash hit Glamorous.

The mother of four – who shares James, 11; Inez, ten; Betty, seven; and Olin, three, with her husband Ryan Reynolds – often shares snippets of her hair and beauty routines on social media.

In August, she shared a video of herself getting ready in her bathroom before rushing out the door as a busy mother and businesswoman. 

The mother of four – who shares James, 11; Inez, ten; Betty, seven; and Olin, three, with her husband Ryan Reynolds – often shares snippets of her hair and beauty routines on social media; above with Reynolds in April 2025 in NYC

In August, she shared a video of herself getting ready in her bathroom before rushing out the door as a busy mother and businesswoman

Her post comes after she was in a legal battle with Baldoni, and the former costars settled right before their trial was set to begin. Baldoni was ultimately ordered to pay $400,000 of Lively's legal fees earlier this year; pictured together in It Ends With Us

'The look: no time but need to look cute while ALSO raising children,' the movie star, who was seen using products from her Blake Brown haircare brand, wrote over the clip. 

'Moment of truth: bun out after running around the city,' she continued, before almost running out the door with her pants unbuttoned.

Her post comes after she was in a legal battle with Baldoni, and the former costars settled right before their trial was set to begin. 

Baldoni was ultimately ordered to pay $400,000 of Lively's legal fees. 

Lively previously sued Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer in December 2024. 

Right before their trial was set to begin earlier this year, Lively was awarded just over $400,000 of the $8 million she sought in legal fees from their dispute due to his countersuit. 

In her lawsuit, Lively asserted that she was subjected to sexual harassment as well as retaliation, alleging he orchestrated a smear campaign to harm her reputation after she brought up complaints about his behavior on set.  

In response, Baldoni denied harassment and claimed Lively made complaints to seize creative control of the movie. 

In June 2025, the countersuit was thrown out. In May of this year, just two weeks before the scheduled trial date, the former costars reached their settlement.

They also released a joint statement, writing that they 'remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.' 

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