SMITHVILLE, Mo. — Twelve-year-old Travis Covey is safe. Covey ran away from his Smithville, Mo., home Wednesday morning around 8 a.m., after a fight with his brother. A motorist spotted Covey walking along U.S Highway 92, about two miles from home, at 7:45 a.m., Thursday. Clay County deputies were called and Covey told them he slept in the woods overnight. Covey is familiar with the woods near his home, as he enjoys camping and exploring the outdoors.
His father told us when he didn’t show up at school Wednesday, he and police officers began searching for him. On Halloween night, a friend of the family spotted him and tried to get him to go home, but his father said Covey ran into the woods because he was afraid he would get in trouble. Police used spotlights and infrared technology to search for Covey, but were unable to locate him.
Covey has run away from home at least four times. In 2009, Covey left home in his boxers and was missing for a night. Police eventually found him sleeping in a car.
Covey has since been taken to an area hospital to be checked out, and he is expected to be okay.
