Local News
Help find missing 5-year-old Jace Saunders in Tavares, Florida
Jace is approximately 3 feet tall, semi-verbal, and has been diagnosed with autism, further heightening concerns for his safety.
Tavares, FL – Authorities are urgently requesting the public’s assistance in locating 5-year-old Jace Saunders, who has been reported missing and is considered endangered.
Jace was last seen at approximately 1:19 PM today in the Southside area of Tavares, near Summerall Park.
According to officials, he was wearing dark blue long pajamas with a graphic design on the front, as depicted in a recently released photo.
Jace is approximately 3 feet tall, semi-verbal, and has been diagnosed with autism, further heightening concerns for his safety.
Investigators believe Jace may be with his grandmother, Kelly Dasilva, and could be traveling in a black Honda Accord or an unidentified passenger car.
Initial findings indicate Jace was possibly taken unlawfully by a family member amid an active Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigation.
Law enforcement officials remain on-site, actively investigating the circumstances of Jace’s disappearance.
The most recent photo of Jace, taken shortly before he went missing, has been circulated to aid in his identification.
Authorities emphasize the importance of immediate action in locating Jace and urge anyone with information on his whereabouts or details about the black Honda Accord to contact law enforcement without delay.
Please reference Case Number T24120625 when providing tips or information. Every second is critical in ensuring Jace’s safe return.
HARTFORD, IL — Newly released video footage reveals the harrowing moments of an ARCH Air Medical helicopter crash that occurred during a nighttime training exercise in Hartford, Illinois.
The incident took place around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday in a vacant lot near North Delmar Avenue, directly across from the Hartford Fire Department.
The video shows the helicopter attempting to lift off when one of its rotor blades struck a tree limb approximately 50 feet above ground.
The impact caused the aircraft to lose control, flip, and crash to the ground, where it immediately caught fire.
A thick plume of smoke and the glow of flames could be seen from blocks away.
In the aftermath of the crash, one of the individuals on board — identified in the video by a blue uniform — can be seen walking away from the burning wreckage.
Another survivor is shown being carried on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
Emergency personnel from the Hartford, South Roxana, and Wood River Fire Departments quickly responded to the scene.
The crash’s proximity to the fire station allowed first responders to act swiftly, containing the fire and rescuing the occupants.
Officials confirmed that all three people aboard the helicopter survived and were transported to area hospitals.
Two were taken by ground ambulance, while a third was airlifted by another ARCH Air Medical helicopter. Their medical conditions have not yet been released.
The crash resulted in a strong odor of aviation fuel that permeated the downtown Hartford area throughout the evening.
Authorities cordoned off the site while crews worked to stabilize the scene and mitigate any fire hazards.
The helicopter was participating in a routine training mission when the incident occurred.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
ARCH Air Medical has not yet released an official statement.
More details will be provided as the investigation continues and additional information becomes available.