A wave of relief swept through Clarksville as a missing 4-year-old boy was found safe after hours of intensive search efforts. The Clarksville Police Department had been in full swing Thursday afternoon after the boy, described as a white male with blonde hair, went missing at 3:50 p.m. He was last seen wearing a green shirt and blue shorts, his identity kept confidential by the authorities. The search concentrated around the Gardendale Drive area off of Tylertown Road, with a noticeable police presence.

The young boy, who was found later that same evening just after 7 p.m., has sparked a community-wide concern, according to WKRN. Because the child is autistic, this added urgency to the search as neighbors and various public safety agencies pitched in to find him.

Fortunately, their efforts were met with success when he was discovered in the woods behind his home, details Clarksville Now obtained from neighbors involved in the search.

Local police had encouraged anyone with information or who spotted the boy to immediately call 911. "Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911 immediately and expect a significant presence of officers in the area," stated the Clarksville Police Department ahead of the boy's discovery, as FOX 17 reported. The call to action had prompted a swift response from the community, highlighting the critical role neighbors can play in times of crisis.