Drone Technology Helps Find Runaway Child In Waretown

Officers quickly located the juvenile along Oyster Creek using new technology, preventing a dangerous situation.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Ocean Township Police Department successfully located a runaway juvenile on Thursday evening by utilizing new drone technology and other investigative resources. Officers were able to efficiently search the surrounding area and find the child in a densely wooded area along Oyster Creek, where frigid conditions and heavy terrain made the integration of technology crucial for the positive outcome.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of law enforcement agencies investing in and responsibly using new technologies like drones to enhance public safety and emergency response capabilities, especially when dealing with vulnerable community members in dangerous situations.

The details

Patrol officers were dispatched to a report of a runaway juvenile and immediately began a coordinated search of the surrounding area. The department employed investigative resources, including Life360 technology and its newly acquired unmanned aerial system, which Sergeant Michael Matelski operated during the search efforts. This technology-assisted approach allowed officers to efficiently narrow the search area and successfully locate the juvenile in the densely wooded area along Oyster Creek.

  • On Thursday evening, police received a report of a runaway juvenile.
  • Officers immediately began searching the area.

The players

Ocean Township Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the report of a runaway juvenile and utilized drone technology to locate the child.

Sergeant Michael Matelski

An officer who operated the department's drone during the search efforts.

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The takeaway

This incident demonstrates how law enforcement agencies can leverage new technologies like drones to enhance their emergency response capabilities and better protect vulnerable community members, even in challenging environmental conditions.