DeLeon Springs boy, 5, found unharmed in woods

Courtesy photo. Kaleb Carreli, 5, of DeLeon Springs, was found in woods near his home, nearly six hours after he was reported missing, the Sheriff's Office said.

DELEON SPRINGS -- After a more than six-hour search, Kaleb Carreli of DeLeon Springs was located safe-n-sound in a heavily-wooded area of DeLeon Springs just before midnight.

The 5-year-old boy was spotted by deputies and a group of volunteer searchers who had been combing the area after Kaleb ran off into the woods while chasing behind his dog. Kaleb’s family reported him missing to the Sheriff’s Office at 5:35 p.m. Thursday.

"Searchers first spotted Kaleb from a distance at about 11:52 p.m. as he was calling out for help," Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said. "They made their way through the thick underbrush and reached the boy about seven minutes later."

Deputies estimate that he was located between three-quarters of a mile and a mile away from his home. The boy was then brought to the command post and checked out by paramedics with EVAC ambulance. While he wasn’t injured, an ambulance transported Kaleb to Florida Hospital DeLand as a precaution.