Boy back with family after search

ELBA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A three-year-old boy was back in the arms of his family Sunday evening, after a scare that lasted just over an hour.

Officials say Joel Meljareljo and his six-year-old brother were playing in a wooded area near the family's Pekin Road home in the Town of Elba when the older child wandered away. 

The search began around 4 p.m. when the brother could not tell his family where the two boys had been playing.  Sheriff's Deputies mobilized quickly and helicopters and K-9 units were called in to assist with finding the child. 

At around 5:15 p.m., Deputy Sheriff Timothy Wescott and Deputy Pat Reeves located the boy in the woods. Deputy Wescott says he and Reeves were searching an area near the woods when they heard the boy yell.       

According to deputies, the boy was scared but otherwise fine and relieved to be back with his family.