A father and his toddler son have been safely located in Wisconsin after police say the two went for a walk, the father ditched the stroller and the two never returned home in McHenry.
The McHenry Police Department was notified of two missing persons, identified as Todd Sabatini, 36, of McHenry, and his 22-month-old son, Theo.
Family members advised police that Sabatini and his son left their residence in the 1700 block of Brown Street in McHenry around 12 p.m. Saturday.
It was reported that Sabatini was taking his son for a walk, which family members indicated was a normal activity, police said.
Sabatini and his son had still not returned home around 4 p.m. and family members became concerned.
Officers learned that it was unusual for Sabatini not to return home or be out of communication with them, police said.
Sabatini reportedly did not have the necessary provisions for an extended excursion with his son.
The stroller the child had been riding in was located behind a business in the 4200 block of Elm Street in McHenry.
Sabatini and his son were considered missing and a welfare check was initiated due to the circumstances of the case.
The pair was last seen in the area of Oak Drive and Elm Street, also known as Route 120, around noon Saturday.
Extensive investigative efforts were made and it was learned that Sabatini and the child obtained a rideshare to the Salem Lakes, Wisconsin, area and eventually to the Greenfield Police Department near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the police department said.
They arrived there at approximately 2 p.m. where Sabatini spoke with an officer from that agency. It is unclear what he was speaking to the officer about.
Sabatini and the child subsequently left the area on foot.
Investigators learned through leads and tips from the community that Sabatini and his son had been seen in the Milwaukee area seeking food and other necessities.
The investigation revealed that Sabatini and the child were seen on a public bus in Milwaukee on Sunday, police said.
McHenry Police Department detectives, with the assistance of Milwaukee County Transit System employees, located Sabatini and his son safely.
They were transported back to McHenry, provided the proper services and safely reunited with their family members.
“The McHenry Police Department extends its utmost gratitude to our community, surrounding communities, and the families involved for their help and assistance with tips and information,” the department said in an update Monday.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County Transit System assisted in the case.
The incident remains under investigation but no criminal charges are being sought at this time.
Anyone with information related to the matter is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the McHenry Police Department at 815-363-2599.
Those wishing to provide information anonymously are encouraged to call the McHenry Police Department’s tip line at 815-363-2124. All calls made to the tip line are anonymous and Caller ID is not used.