Jonathan Shin, the 12-year-old who went missing Wednesday evening, was found about 4:50 a.m. this morning on the border of Buffalo Grove and Wheeling at Route 21/Lake Cook Road.
According to Buffalo Grove Police, he was safe, there was no evidence of anything criminal, and he was returned home to his family.
In a Facebook post, the child's father, David Shin said:
"Jonny is home and safe!!!! We received a call from Buffalo Grove Police at around 4:50am while my wife and I were out searching. We arrived at BGPD and we're able to pick him up. He was very cold and wet but ok.
We don't fully grasp what happened or why Jonny felt he had to run away for lack of a better term. We will try to get to the bottom of this together as a family. In the meantime though, complete joy has overtaken any anguish.
I will try to get back to everyone ASAP but for now, Esther and I are completely overwhelmed. During the night, while in the absolute pit of despair, I apologized to Esther because I thought my life was cursed.
But now, I realize that my life is truly blessed. Because all I can think of is the scripture verse of Luke 15:24 "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."
Thank you to the entire Buffalo Grove Community for your unbelievable love and support. Thank you to my wonderful neighbors and friends. Thank you to all of ODM-Presbyterian church for lifting us up in prayers. And thank you to the beautiful brothers and sisters of the Buffalo Grove Police Department, the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, KALEG, and all the amazing law enforcement agencies that worked so hard and selflessly to make us whole. We love you."
