12/21/2025
On the evening of December 20, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Paden City Police Department was notified by Tyler County Dispatch of a runaway juvenile within the city limits.
Paden City Patrolman K.S. Cecil immediately coordinated with Tyler County Dispatch to request assistance from surrounding agencies. Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office deputies, including a tracking K-9 unit, responded to assist. New Martinsville Police Department officers conducted an active search throughout the city, while Patrolman Cecil maintained scene coordination.
Once the tracking K-9 arrived, Patrolman Cecil and Wetzel County deputies began tracking on foot. After an extended period of tracking over a significant distance, the K-9 required rest due to exhaustion, and responding personnel returned to the staging area.
Due to cold nighttime temperatures, the duration of the juvenile’s exposure, and ongoing safety concerns, an escalated response was initiated to ensure a timely and safe outcome. Additional resources were requested, including multiple tracking K-9 units and aerial support from neighboring jurisdictions. Agencies worked collaboratively throughout the evening and into the early morning hours. Given the scope of the search, environmental conditions, terrain considerations, and responder safety, CSX was notified and temporarily halted rail traffic in the area as a precautionary measure.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., the juvenile was safely located by assisting agencies. The juvenile’s safety and well-being remained the top priority throughout the incident, and appropriate procedures were followed after the juvenile was located.
The Paden City Police Department would like to extend a sincere thank you to all agencies and individuals who assisted, including:
New Martinsville Police Department
• Sergeant M. Walker
• Corporal B. Dennis
• Patrolman M. Litton
• Patrolman M. Dowell
Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office
• K-9 Handler Deputy C. Cook
• Deputy C. Cook
West Virginia State Police
• Trooper W. Runyan
• Trooper First Class M. Neff
Tyler County Sheriff’s Office
• Deputy G. Renner
• Deputy M. Corley
Pleasants County Sheriff’s Office
• K-9 Handler Deputy K. Seese
St. Marys Police Department
• K-9 Handler Chief R. Hall
Wetzel County Prosecutor’s Office
• Assistant Prosecutor J. Craft
Wetzel County Magistrates Office
• Magistrate Harris
Paden City Volunteer Fire Company
• Lt. Timothy McFadden
• Ryan Barrick
• Steve White
• Misti Loy
• Rex Ervin
• Timothy Loy
• Owen Gaito
Sistersville Volunteer Fire Department
• Chuck Morris
• Tara Knowlton
• Brendan Hailey
• Mike C***s
• Andy Weekley
• Steve Wayne
Tyler County Search and Rescue
• Tom Cooper
Paden City Citizens
• Miranda Sine, along with additional community members who assisted or helped coordinate resources.
A special thank you is extended to Tyler County Dispatch for their professionalism, coordination, and dedication throughout the incident. Dispatchers are truly the heart and soul of everything we do, and their calm, timely, and consistent efforts were instrumental in ensuring a safe outcome.
This incident highlights the importance of interagency cooperation and community support. We are grateful for the teamwork displayed and thankful for the safe resolution.
