WI JAMES YOBLONSKI: Missing from Reedsburg, WI - 12 June 2023 - Age 13

Missing Endangered Alert Issued for 13-Year-Old Wisconsin Boy Who Took Family Van and Gun

Wisconsin authorities have issued a Missing Endangered Person Alert for a 13-year-old boy who has now been missing for more than 48 hours. James Yoblonski took the family fan early Monday morning and drove away from his Reedsburg home, as CrimeOnline reported. The van was later found on US 12...

www.crimeonline.com

Missing Endangered Alert Issued for 13-Year-Old Wisconsin Boy Who Took Family Van and Gun​

Wisconsin authorities have issued a Missing Endangered Person Alert for a 13-year-old boy who has now been missing for more than 48 hours.

James Yoblonski took the family fan early Monday morning and drove away from his Reedsburg home, as CrimeOnline reported. The van was later found on US 12 near Devil’s Lake State Park, and search crews found his cell phone and a campsite with some of his belongings nearby.

But they’ve not found the boy.

“It’s a very wooded terrain. The woods [are] very thick, there’s rock ledges, there’s cliffs,” Sauk Sheriff Chip Meister told WKOW. “You could be six, eight feet from another deputy and you can’t see that deputy — so that’s how thick it is.”

Meister said more than 40 officials are participating in the search along with both a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft from the Department of Natural Resources.

William Yoblonski, the boy’s father, told WKOW that his son “is not someone who would run away” and called the situation “dire.” He said he’s not concerned that the teen took the van — or, apparently, a gun that is missing from the home.

Rainy weather hampered ground crews searching for the boy on Tuesday, and the search ended at dark but was set to resume Wednesday morning.


MEDIA - JAMES YOBLONSKI: Missing from Reedsburg, WI - 12 June 2023 - Age 13

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Day 3 begins in search for missing boy in Sauk Co.

The search for a missing teen in Sauk Co. resumed Wednesday as teams continued focusing on a wooded area off Highway 12 where a campsite was discovered the previous day.

www.nbc15.com

Day 3 begins in search for missing boy in Sauk Co.​

The search for a missing boy resumes in Sauk Co. on Wednesday with more eyes in the sky and nearly a dozen K9 units on the ground. The Sheriff’s Office and other agencies have been searching for James Yoblonski since Monday morning, when his family reported him and their vehicle missing.

Sheriff Chip Meister said Wednesday his teams planned to head out into the wooded areas near Baraboo Bluffs and a couple miles away from the westernmost portion of Devil’s Lake State Park and the northern part of the Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area with help from 10 K9s, two airplanes, and a Black Hawk helicopter.

Their search area has focused on that area since Monday when the Yoblonski family vehicle was found parked along Hwy. 12 and the boy’s phone was found across the street. Later, on that first day of searching, a campsite was found in the nearby woods.


The search Tuesday saw members of the Sheriff’s Office start early, around 6 a.m., and break into two teams. One of the teams searched near the campsite, while the other one headed south, Meister explained that morning. He pointed out the terrain in that area is rough and woods are very think, pointing out deputies could be six to eight feet away from each other and still not see the other person.

Meister revealed Monday night the family realized that, in addition to their van being taken, a handgun was missing from the home. Authorities have not determined for certain if Yoblanski has the weapon.

“He {the father} just noticed that there is a handgun missing from the house, so that was one of the reasons you saw us release the fire department, the civilian personnel, and then we asked for the neighboring county, Columbia County, to come and help with the search,” Meister said on Monday.


Several law enforcement agencies from Columbia Co. and across the country had been part of Monday night’s operations, Meister noted. He explained the dense woods made their effort more difficult and helped lead to the decision to call off the search for the night on Monday with the plan to resume the next day.

Some people remained behind, however, and they stayed at the campsite, in case Yoblonski returned.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Sheriff Chip Meister said Wednesday his teams planned to head out into the wooded areas near Baraboo Bluffs and a couple miles away from the westernmost portion of Devil’s Lake State Park and the northern part of the Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area with help from 10 K9s, two airplanes, and a Black Hawk helicopter.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[GrandmaBear]

Worrisome, very.

He could have called someone to come pick him up before ditching the phone but why wouldn't they come forward by now?

Very concerning.

I am wondering what 13 year old runs off to a wooded state park etc. i.e. is he familiar with the area and is he experienced with camping, being in the woods etc.?

The hand gun is concerning but they don't seem sure he took it.

He is 13 and it is summer so he isn't in they kind of weather dangers or drowning dangers etc. a younger child would be or of freezing or falling through thin ice, etc.

While he may not be the type to run away, he did so, taking a vehicle at 13 so there was a plan or he was upset or just felt the need to leave.

Hopefully he is just worried he is in big trouble and hiding out or has some reason he doesn't want to go home, to school, etc. (although school would be out I'd think).

Praying.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I've seen this rumor floating around but not by MSM.
I had hope when they found a "campsite" that maybe he was just planning on hiding out / camping for a bit. But it's been more than 48 hours since they located that campsite and he hasn't returned to it. No mention of the gun being found at the site either.

 

[Guess Who]

I've seen this rumor floating around but not by MSM.
I had hope when they found a "campsite" that maybe he was just planning on hiding out / camping for a bit. But it's been more than 48 hours since they located that campsite and he hasn't returned to it. No mention of the gun being found at the site either.

This is exactly what i feared when it was said it was "dire" and a firearm was also missing.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Search for missing Sauk Co. teen enters fourth day

The search for the 13-year-old who went missing in Sauk County earlier this week enters a new day.

www.waow.com

Search for missing Sauk Co. teen enters fourth day​

The search for the 13-year-old who went missing in Sauk County earlier this week enters a new day.


On Monday, the family car and makeshift campsite were found near US 12 and the Sauk hill.

Tuesday, authorities tried to search the heavily wooded area in the rain. Sheriff Chip Mesiter talked to 27 News and said "time is very important."

On Wednesday, more K-9s were brought in to search. And planes, including a Black Hawk helicopter, looked for Yoblonski from above.

Thursday, a debrief was planned for 8 a.m. at Museum of Badger Army Ammunition in North Freedom.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

UPDATE ON SEARCH FOR JAMES YOBLONSKI - NO PUBLIC SEARCH AT THIS TIME, LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY. from Sauk County Nixle Information System : Nixle

The search for James Yoblonski continues by Law Enforcement Only. The public is not being asked to assist with the search at this time. Please avoid the area of the Sauk Hill where the search is ...

nixle.us

UPDATE ON SEARCH FOR JAMES YOBLONSKI - NO PUBLIC SEARCH AT THIS TIME, LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY.​

The search for James Yoblonski continues by Law Enforcement Only. The public is not being asked to assist with the search at this time.

Please avoid the area of the Sauk Hill where the search is ongoing, Traffic lanes in this area are also restricted. The unrecovered firearm and treacherous terrain are a public safety concern.

NO PUBLIC SEARCH IS REQUESTED, LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY AT THIS TIME.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

 

[GrandmaBear]

I still have hope. It is again a nice time of year and there are signs he didn't immediately do anything to himself so I am hopeful.

However, unless he is a kid who is very okay with being without a phone (assuming the one found was his only), being on his own in the woods, night an day, etc. yes, big reason to worry as each day passes.

Does he know how to swim?

Did he take anything with? Food, etc.

What was his online activity, was he in touch with anyone or the wrong person he may have met?

None of these things are known.

Maybe they are though, I barely get time to keep up much less check other sources.

His age worries me in respect to an age you ma see no end in sight, meaning end of school, turning 18 and doing your own thing, etc.

I don't have access or knowledge of other social media, etc. to know what is being said. Can't even find time to keep up on threads here or read links.

Praying though. Signs possibly that he is still alive and I hope that is the case.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Officials find potential clues during search for missing 13-year-old in Baraboo Bluffs

Law enforcement officers looking for missing Reedsburg 13-year-old James Yoblonski found signs of human activity while searching Baraboo bluffs make feel optimistic.

www.nbc15.com

Officials find potential clues during search for missing 13-year-old in Baraboo Bluffs​

Law enforcement officers looking for missing Reedsburg 13-year-old James Yoblonski found signs of human activity while searching Baraboo Bluffs, making them feel optimistic.

Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Lieutenant Steven Schram said they found plastic sandwich bags, a boot print and walking stick 200 yards southwest from the abandoned campsite earlier in the week.

“It does seem like we’re making some progress today,” Schram said. “We’re excited to find something to give us a renewed sense of confidence or hope, but at this point we’re still pushing diligently forward.”


Only trained law enforcement officers and first responders are allowed to search because officers and Yoblonski’s family believe he is in possession of a gun.

“When we locate James, if he does possess that firearm, we have people trained to deal with that situation in the best case possible for the outcome for those who are searching for him and for James,” Schram said.


“You just have to keep in mind that there’s a 13-year-old boy out there who needs our help,” Schram said. “We have to do every single thing that we can do to find him.”

Officers will continue the search until 8 p.m. Thursday and plan to return Friday if Yoblonski is not located yet.


James’ father William Yoblonski said he believes his 13-year-old son drove to his father’s work place and took a gun from that location for protection.

William also said James recently received a wilderness survival guide as a gift and that he previously expressed interest in trying to hike in the wilderness.

Schram was also informed of James’ interest in wilderness exploration and said the bluff areas are not designated for hiking and are extremely unsafe. He said officers do not think James has a cell phone and could be lost or injured while trying to act as a survivalist.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Officials find potential clues during search for missing 13-year-old in Baraboo Bluffs

Law enforcement officers looking for missing Reedsburg 13-year-old James Yoblonski found signs of human activity while searching Baraboo bluffs make feel optimistic.

www.nbc15.com

Officials find potential clues during search for missing 13-year-old in Baraboo Bluffs​

Law enforcement officers looking for missing Reedsburg 13-year-old James Yoblonski found signs of human activity while searching Baraboo Bluffs, making them feel optimistic.

Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Lieutenant Steven Schram said they found plastic sandwich bags, a boot print and walking stick 200 yards southwest from the abandoned campsite earlier in the week.

“It does seem like we’re making some progress today,” Schram said. “We’re excited to find something to give us a renewed sense of confidence or hope, but at this point we’re still pushing diligently forward.”


Only trained law enforcement officers and first responders are allowed to search because officers and Yoblonski’s family believe he is in possession of a gun.

“When we locate James, if he does possess that firearm, we have people trained to deal with that situation in the best case possible for the outcome for those who are searching for him and for James,” Schram said.


“You just have to keep in mind that there’s a 13-year-old boy out there who needs our help,” Schram said. “We have to do every single thing that we can do to find him.”

Officers will continue the search until 8 p.m. Thursday and plan to return Friday if Yoblonski is not located yet.


James’ father William Yoblonski said he believes his 13-year-old son drove to his father’s work place and took a gun from that location for protection.

William also said James recently received a wilderness survival guide as a gift and that he previously expressed interest in trying to hike in the wilderness.

Schram was also informed of James’ interest in wilderness exploration and said the bluff areas are not designated for hiking and are extremely unsafe. He said officers do not think James has a cell phone and could be lost or injured while trying to act as a survivalist.

So he accessed car keys, then apparently also had access to a work place key and a key to a gun cabinet or at least knew where the gun was kept at work. Seems he had a plan rather than just taking off in upset or something at the spur of the moment...? A survival guide. I am taking this all to mean hopefully he wasn't upset and isn't suicidal.

So still hopeful in this one. He is 13, managed to drive there and do all this, etc. It is wilderness but he isn't a grade schooler and the weather is nice. He had read a guide, what else did he have with him? Sandwich bags found, walking stick found, sounds like he prepped...

Yet they are concerned he has a gun as to anyone finding him or encountering him... School would have recently gotten out I imagine... Maybe he had this planned and if so, is he on an adventure or in his mind has he left for good...

Hopefully they find him in short order but if he is not wanting to be found then they may have a harder time than say a lost child who wants to be found and stays put, builds a fire, etc. in hopes of being found.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Fifth day of search for missing teen underway near Devil's Lake State Park

Officers from across the state gathered near Devil's Lake State Park to search for the 13-year-old again Friday.

www.wkow.com

• 1 hr ago

SAUK COUNTY, Wis. (WKOW) -- Day five of the search for missing James Yoblonski is underway in Sauk County.

Officers from across the state gathered near Devil's Lake State Park to search for the 13-year-old again Friday.

Yoblonski left home early Monday Morning. Authorities said he drove a family car to a spot in Baraboo and hasn't been seen or heard from since.


On Monday, a makeshift campsite was found near US 12 and the Sauk hill.

Tuesday, authorities tried to search the heavily wooded area in the rain. Sheriff Chip Mesiter talked to 27 News and said "time is very important."

On Wednesday, more K-9s were brought in to search. And planes, including a Black Hawk helicopter, looked for Yoblonski from above.

Thursday, Lt. Steven Schram with the Sauk County Sheriff's Office said searchers have come across signs of life, including cut branches and possible boot prints.

James' father told 27 News James received a survival book earlier in the year. And he believes the teen took the book with him when he went into the woods. A missing gun has also not been found.

 

[Guess Who]

Fifth day of search for missing teen underway near Devil's Lake State Park

Officers from across the state gathered near Devil's Lake State Park to search for the 13-year-old again Friday.

www.wkow.com

• 1 hr ago

SAUK COUNTY, Wis. (WKOW) -- Day five of the search for missing James Yoblonski is underway in Sauk County.

Officers from across the state gathered near Devil's Lake State Park to search for the 13-year-old again Friday.

Yoblonski left home early Monday Morning. Authorities said he drove a family car to a spot in Baraboo and hasn't been seen or heard from since.


On Monday, a makeshift campsite was found near US 12 and the Sauk hill.

Tuesday, authorities tried to search the heavily wooded area in the rain. Sheriff Chip Mesiter talked to 27 News and said "time is very important."

On Wednesday, more K-9s were brought in to search. And planes, including a Black Hawk helicopter, looked for Yoblonski from above.

Thursday, Lt. Steven Schram with the Sauk County Sheriff's Office said searchers have come across signs of life, including cut branches and possible boot prints.

James' father told 27 News James received a survival book earlier in the year. And he believes the teen took the book with him when he went into the woods. A missing gun has also not been found.

This at least makes me hope he was just smart in taking the firearm with him in the wilderness and not for the "dire" they said and what it eluded to.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I have hope too in this one but every passing day I feel more concern. I mean he did "pull" this on his parents and taking the vehicle and driving it is a crime and in his mind he may think he is in or will be in big trouble, taking the gun as well he may think that. That would lead me to believe at minimum he would avoid police and not want to be found.

But I am hopeful he is alive.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Sauk County reducing police presence in search for James Yoblonski

Schram said today’s clues give a stronger indication that Yoblonski is trying to live in the remote Baraboo Bluffs as a survivalist and that he’s trying to evade search efforts.

www.nbc15.com

Sauk County reducing police presence in search for James Yoblonski​

The number of law enforcement officials who are searching for 13-year-old missing boy James Yoblonski is now reduced, as they believe he does not want to be found.

Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Lieutenant Steven Schram said during Friday’s search, they found a second campsite, a jug of water, socks and a knife sheath that they believe belong to Yoblonski.

Schram said today’s clues give a stronger indication that Yoblonski is trying to live in the remote Baraboo Bluffs as a survivalist and that he’s trying to evade search efforts.

Starting today and Saturday, fewer officers will be out searching for the Reedsburg teen.

“We feel like our added presence at this point could continue to just push him further and further away and that’s what we’re taking into account with the change that you may see behind me now with the lack of squads,” Schram said. “He may be trying to avoid us to fulfill his desire to live off of the grid.”

Police believe Yoblonski is alive and has access to food and water. As of now, they plan to continue searching throughout the weekend and into next week.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Police: Missing boy trying to live 'off grid'

A missing 13-year-old Reedsburg boy is believed to attempting to live "off the grid," authorities said.

madison.com

• JOHN GITTINGS
  
• 3 hrs ago

A missing 13-year-old Reedsburg boy is believed to attempting to live "off the grid," authorities said.
The investigation — which has gone on since Monday morning when James Yoblonski's father, William, notified the department that his son was missing — has included dozens of law enforcement agencies, detectives, and the cooperation of the Yoblonski family, Sauk County Sheriff's Office Lt. Steven Schram said.

Schram said that the cooperative effort has led the department to develop "a profile of James which leads us to believe he is acting with intention."

James had also reportedly taken a family vehicle and firearm. The vehicle was located just over an hour after James was reported missing, and he is now believed to have two woodland survival manuals.

Investigators have also located evidence, such as small campsites and clothing items, which correspond with instructions in such manuals. Schram said that the Sauk County Sheriff's Office and the Yoblonski family feel it is time to change to a "more indirect" approach to finding the 13-year-old.

He said that as further signs of James Yoblonski come in, the department will continue to deploy resources to the wooded area in which James is thought to be. If sightings such as clothing or other items that may lead to James' whereabouts come in, Schram said that responders may not react instantly due to the potential of James continuing to evade them. A more active response will commence if a sighting of James is reported.

<snip>

Law enforcement is currently attempting to "reduce visible impact" from officers and the public, as Schram believes that this could push James further away and into an area that he is unfamiliar with. He also mentioned that two officers searching the area were taken to nearby hospitals for injuries resulting from the treacherous Baraboo Bluffs terrain, and that public involvement could result in additional injuries to people untrained in navigating such land. For these reasons, the Sauk County Sheriff's Office discourages public involvement in the search.

Schram said that the Yoblonski family requests privacy from media inquiries and is in regular contact with the Sauk County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information on James's whereabouts is asked to call the Sauk County Sheriff's Office at 608-355-4495.

 

[Guess Who]

Police: Missing boy trying to live 'off grid'

A missing 13-year-old Reedsburg boy is believed to attempting to live "off the grid," authorities said.

madison.com

• JOHN GITTINGS
• 3 hrs ago

A missing 13-year-old Reedsburg boy is believed to attempting to live "off the grid," authorities said.
The investigation — which has gone on since Monday morning when James Yoblonski's father, William, notified the department that his son was missing — has included dozens of law enforcement agencies, detectives, and the cooperation of the Yoblonski family, Sauk County Sheriff's Office Lt. Steven Schram said.

Schram said that the cooperative effort has led the department to develop "a profile of James which leads us to believe he is acting with intention."

James had also reportedly taken a family vehicle and firearm. The vehicle was located just over an hour after James was reported missing, and he is now believed to have two woodland survival manuals.

Investigators have also located evidence, such as small campsites and clothing items, which correspond with instructions in such manuals. Schram said that the Sauk County Sheriff's Office and the Yoblonski family feel it is time to change to a "more indirect" approach to finding the 13-year-old.

He said that as further signs of James Yoblonski come in, the department will continue to deploy resources to the wooded area in which James is thought to be. If sightings such as clothing or other items that may lead to James' whereabouts come in, Schram said that responders may not react instantly due to the potential of James continuing to evade them. A more active response will commence if a sighting of James is reported.

<snip>

Law enforcement is currently attempting to "reduce visible impact" from officers and the public, as Schram believes that this could push James further away and into an area that he is unfamiliar with. He also mentioned that two officers searching the area were taken to nearby hospitals for injuries resulting from the treacherous Baraboo Bluffs terrain, and that public involvement could result in additional injuries to people untrained in navigating such land. For these reasons, the Sauk County Sheriff's Office discourages public involvement in the search.

Schram said that the Yoblonski family requests privacy from media inquiries and is in regular contact with the Sauk County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information on James's whereabouts is asked to call the Sauk County Sheriff's Office at 608-355-4495.

Sure seems like he's doing a pretty good job, so far. Not condoning his behaviour, just an observation.