Mineral, Virginia – The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Charles Edward Smith III, a juvenile who was reported missing on the evening of August 20, 2024, has been located and is safe. The community and local authorities had been searching for Charles after he was last seen by family members around 10:30 PM in the Johnson Road area of Mineral, VA.
Charles was last seen wearing grey and white camouflage shorts and a blue collared long sleeve shirt. He may have been riding his purple and white Explorer Pacific 10-speed bike. According to reports, he took most of his clothing, several pairs of shoes, and some food from the family’s freezer before leaving.
The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office had urged anyone with information about Charles’s whereabouts to come forward, highlighting the importance of locating him due to his need for medication.
In a Facebook post that has since been updated, the Sheriff’s Office announced the good news that Charles has been found safe. Community members expressed their relief and gratitude on social media. Karla Ellis Harrison commented, "Amen!" while David Sexton wrote, "So glad."
The Louisa County community and Charles’s family are undoubtedly relieved by his safe return, closing a brief but intense search that brought many together in concern for his well-being.