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The Disappearance of Ares Muse
Ares Muse, a 2-year-old boy from Okemah, Oklahoma, went missing from his family’s home in the early hours of Monday, September 12, 2023. According to The Kansas City Star, his parents said that he had crawled into bed with them during the night, but when they woke up around 6:30 a.m., they found that he was not there. The boy had reportedly managed to unlock three different locks to escape the home, as stated by Jason Salsman, a spokesperson for the Muscogee Nation.
The boy’s father immediately reported his disappearance to the authorities, who launched a massive search operation involving over 20 agencies from the tribal, local, state, and federal levels. Ares was last seen wearing black pajamas featuring brightly colored dinosaurs. He was described as having brown hair and brown eyes, and weighing about 30 pounds.
The Discovery of Ares Muse’s Body
The search for Ares lasted for about 12 hours, as hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement officials combed the area around his home, using helicopters, drones, dogs, and horses. Sadly, the search ended in tragedy when Ares’ body was found around 6 p.m., less than a mile from his residence. The exact location and condition of his body were not disclosed by the officials.
The cause of death for Ares has not been confirmed yet, as the investigation is still ongoing. Salsman said that the family was cooperating with the officials, and that there was no indication of foul play or criminal activity at this point. However, he also said that nothing was being ruled out until the autopsy results were available.
The Reaction of Ares Muse’s Family and Community
The news of Ares’ death shocked and saddened his family and community, who had hoped for a positive outcome. Salsman expressed his condolences to the boy’ relatives and thanked everyone who participated in the search effort. He said that Ares was “the family’s pride and joy” and that he loved helping his father and dying Easter eggs. He also said that the Muscogee Nation would provide support and resources to the family during this difficult time.
Eric Foster, a trooper with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, also praised the collaboration and cooperation of the various agencies and citizens who joined the search. He said that it was unfortunate that they had to deliver such bad news, but that they were proud to be part of Oklahoma’s spirit of coming together in times of crisis.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Brandi Gaither, who claims to be a grandmother of Ares, to help the family with funeral costs and other expenses. The page has raised more than $1,200 so far out of a $5,000 goal.
The Implications of Ares Muse’s Case
Ares Muse’s case has raised some questions and concerns about child safety and prevention of similar incidents in the future. Some experts have suggested that parents should install alarms or sensors on their doors and windows to alert them if their children try to leave the house without supervision. Others have advised parents to educate their children about the dangers of wandering off and to teach them their names, addresses, and phone numbers in case they get lost.
Ares Muse’s case has also highlighted the importance of coordination and communication among different agencies and jurisdictions in cases of missing children. Foster said that this case was an example of how well different entities can work together for a common goal. He also said that they would review their protocols and procedures to see if they could improve their response time and efficiency in future cases.
Ares Muse’s case has touched many hearts across Oklahoma and beyond, as people mourned the loss of a young life cut short. His story has also reminded people of the need to protect and cherish their children, as well as to support each other in times of grief. As Salsman said, “We need to be there in our hearts and minds for this family”.
