Faithful Dog's Bark Brings Searchers to Missing Toddler

Oxford, N.C. — A toddler who went missing Friday night was found alive more than 24 hours later, the family dog at his side.

Connor Cummings, one week shy of his second birthday, had a few scrapes but was in good condition when a searcher found the boy sitting on a stump about one mile from his house Saturday evening.

"It's a prayer answered. It really is," his mother, Teresa Cummings, said Saturday evening as she held the toddler and he guzzled from a bottle, seemingly unconcerned by the whole affair.

Connor and his family's golden retriever, Sandy, wandered away from home and went missing about 6:30 p.m. Friday. A massive search ensued.

Steven Brewer was searching on horseback when Sandy barked once and he found Connor and the dog near Highway 96 and Gos hen Road.

About 250 people had searched a wooded area near Connor's home in the Gos hen community Saturday. They used horses and all-terrain vehicles as well as fanning out on foot.

The boy was outside with his mother to feed their dogs Friday, authorities said. The mother realized he and the dog were missing a short time later and searched for them for about two hours before calling the Granville County Sheriff's Office for help.

Crews searched the woods near the home on Jack Haycock Road Friday night, and additional search crews from as far away as Asheville arrived Saturday morning to assist. The North Carolina Wing of the Civil Air Patrol was also called to assist.

Connor celebrates his second birthday next Friday.