Boy who disappeared in Beaver County spotted in Washington County
Jul 26, 2018, 7:47 PM | Updated: Feb 14, 2023, 4:19 pm
BEAVER, Utah – A 13-year-old boy who disappeared in the desert of western Beaver County was spotted in neighboring Washington County Thursday.
Beaver County Sheriff Cameron Noel said Roberto Madrigal is from California and was camping with a group from Radcliff Ascent. The organization works with teens from across the country that are having difficulties, taking them on wilderness retreats. Around 12 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Noel said Roberto ran away from the group. He said Roberto told friends he believed Las Vegas was on the other side of some nearby mountains. The area is miles from any civilization. Las Vegas is a four-hour drive away.
Noel said the group has had teens run away in the past. He said they are well-equipped for search and rescue.
“They normally locate them within a few hours. They are pretty sophisticated,” Noel said.
Roberto Madrigal. Photo courtesy of Beaver County Sheriff’s Office
After 24 hours, though, the group called for help from the sheriff’s office. Deputies and search and rescue members spent Thursday scouring the desert while a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter searched overhead.
“They had a track on him, but unfortunately a rainstorm came in, washed away all those tracks, so we have no tracks. We don’t have a direction of travel, we don’t have a whole lot,” Noel said.
Thursday evening, Noel said someone in the Washington County community of Enterprise spotted Roberto hiding near a vacant house. That person called police after seeing news coverage of the missing boy. The caller said it appeared he was wearing black thermal underwear. Noel said the tracks left behind match Roberto’s boots.
Beaver County authorities have canceled search efforts in their county.
