CATAWISSA - Wyatt Yohey was found by State Police in Shickshinny this afternoon at about 1 p.m. The 16-year-old, who has autism, had been missing since failing to get on a school bus on Wednesday morning. 

Yohey had made it from Catawissa to beyond Shickshinny, a distance of more than 25 miles. Yohey is acquainted with survival skills and said he was on his way back to his Mill Street home, he told police.

A report of a "suspicious person," brought police to the Shickshinny area with a photo of Wyatt, which the resident quickly identified.  

When asked why he had decided to change courses and head home, he looked around at his family seated beside him at the Catawissa borough police station and said, "Because of all of you." 

Roger and Angie Yohey, his parents, were visibly relieved that their son had returned home. 

Both said, even though they had been hopeful that he was okay because of his familiarity with the outdoors, they had moments of fearing the worst. 

Brother and sister, Brittany, 20, and Ian, 17, had actively participated in search-and-rescue efforts. They said they were also relieved and enjoying being spending time with their brother. 

The Yoheys planned to head home so that Wyatt could take a shower and get some much-needed rest. 

The rescue followed two days of an extensive search that brought search-and-rescue teams, as well as canine units, to the area and saw hundreds of area residents volunteer their time and services. 

"We are extremely proud of this effort and of the residents of our community and communities hours away from us, for their willingness to help," said Police Chief Joshua Laidacker.

We'll have more in Saturday's edition.