Missing Coker Creek Child Found Safe

Alijah

Missing Boy Found

January 14, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tommy Jones, Sheriff
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Media Contact:  Deputy Rick Lavoie, PIO  [email protected]

Missing Child Found

MONROE COUNTY TN - Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones has confirmed that 6-year old Alijah Kensinger, missing since Thursday afternoon in Tellico Plains TN, has been found and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. After spending the night outdoors he appeared to be in good condition.

Sheriff Jones was on site coordinating the search operations. Officials checked creeks and bodies of water near the child's home on New Hwy. 68. About 30 people searched the area on foot Thursday night into Friday, and 75 or more joined the search on Friday. Two THP helicopters and a TBI plane performed air searches. Morgan County State Prison dispatched their K9 teams to augment the Sheriff's Offfice resources in search and rescue. Residents described the terrain as densely wooded, hilly, and difficult to navigate on foot. Sheriff Jones said "We are highly appreciative of the immediate support and assistance from so many agencies and citizen volunteers which resulted in such a joyful outcome."