A scary situation on Saturday, Sept. 10, was remedied with the help of police officers and alert residents.

A Barrington woman called police at about 7:20 a.m. and reported that her son was missing. She told police that the boy was only five and a half years old and was autistic.

Barrington author hosting 'Pony party' Saturday.

Police officers quickly responded to the area near the boy's home in the center of town and began searching for the youngster. 

A short while later, police received a call from a motorist who was traveling on County Road who said he had seen a young boy wearing pajamas riding a scooter along the side of the road. The motorist was concerned for the boy, as County Road sometimes plays host to fast-moving car traffic and the boy seemed awfully young to be out by himself.

Police continued to search for the boy, focusing on the area surrounding the Barrington Shopping Center. 

More than an hour into the search, police received a call from a resident who lives near the shopping center, who said there was a boy playing in his backyard.

Police sped to the home and soon reunited the boy with his family.

"I, as well as the parents, are grateful for the residents who called us when they saw the boy," said Barrington Police Chief John LaCross. 

"I think we all have a responsibility to help each other… I see this as a community partnership."

Chief LaCross said the boy's mother called the police later in the week to thank all those who helped locate her son. 

"We talk about community engagement with the public," said the chief. "I think this is the perfect example."