** Missing Olympia boys found safe after city-wide search Wednesday | The Olympian

On December 11, 2024, Allen Leman and Drake Coop, two 11-year-old students from Hansen Elementary School in Olympia, went missing for over six hours after running away from school. The police received a call from the school around 1 p. m. , prompting an extensive search that included local neighborhoods, stores, and public transportation hubs. Olympia police utilized social media to seek public assistance during the search.

At approximately 8:30 p. m. , one of the boys called 911 to report they were lost. Officers guided them to locate a nearby road, leading to their discovery near Kaiser Road Northwest and Goldcrest Drive, just 2,000 feet from the school. Authorities confirmed that both boys were in good health, though understandably frightened, and stated that there were no suspicions of foul play, emphasizing that the children had planned their escape.

A missing persons flyer was circulated to aid in the search, and the incident has sparked discussions about child safety and school policies. The community expressed relief at the boys' safe return, highlighting the importance of communication and awareness in such situations.