Boy rescued from woods released from hospital

Baker County boy with autism was missing for more than 2 days

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One special trick-or-treater received a big treat Friday night -- 8-year-old Peyton Blodgett spent his first night at home since his disappearance in Baker County on Saturday afternoon.

Peyton, who has autistim, wandered into the woods while visiting his paternal grandmother on Saturday. Authorities were called in for a search that went on for almost 50 hours, with multiple agencies and hundreds of law enforcement officers and volunteers.

He was found Monday afternoon severely dehydrated in the woods and has spent the week recovering at Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville.

He was released late Friday afternoon.

Teresa Rewis, Peyton's maternal grandmother, said her grandson progressed after a few difficult days that involved kidney problems after he went two days without any food or water while lost in the woods.

According to his parents, Peyton was near death when rescuers in a helicopter spotted him Monday afternoon. Peyton's parents said his kidneys were failing, his skin was gray and his eyes were sinking in when authorities found him.

His condition steadily improved over the last few days, allowing him to go home on Friday. 

In his last hours at Wolfson, Peyton dressed up in an Angry Bird costume for Halloween. The family shared photos of him trick-or-treating in the hospital.

As his grandson was wheeled out of the hospital about 5 p.m. Friday, Clayton Rewis was full of gratitude.

"He's 100 percent better, and we're really tickled about it. He's excited. He's very excited," Clayton Rews said. "I give all the credit to God, and Joey Dobson and the Sheriff's Department in Macclenney and all the people. We appreciate everybody that helped look for him, and just -- everybody done great."


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