How 3-Year-Old Ryker Webb Survived Two Days Alone in Montana Wilderness — And What Happened After

What Happened

In early June 2022, three-year-old Ryker Webb vanished from his backyard in Troy, Montana. The child had been playing with the family dog while his father briefly went inside; when the father returned, Ryker was gone. By about 5 p.m. a neighbor had alerted authorities, and a multi-agency search began.

Search and Rescue Effort

Severe thunderstorms and rugged terrain complicated the search. Local volunteers, search dogs, drones, National Guard helicopters and even a boat on a nearby lake joined to comb the area. Authorities coordinated a wide search over the next day and a half.

The Rescue

On June 5, homeowners roughly two miles from the Webb residence heard a child’s voice coming from a log cabin on their property. They discovered Ryker hiding inside a lawn-mower bag in a shed where the family stored a generator. One homeowner took a recently taken photo of the boy to the search checkpoint; emergency responders then reunited Ryker with medical personnel and his family.

Condition and Immediate Aftermath

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reported Ryker was cold, hungry and thirsty but otherwise in relatively good condition. EMTs took him to a local hospital; he received overnight treatment for dehydration and was released to his family soon after. Sheriff Darren Short said Ryker appeared frightened and disoriented when found and that he lit up when reunited with his parents.

“He appeared very, very frightened,” Sheriff Short told reporters. “He didn’t know the couple who found him or the officers at the scene and was pretty shaken up.”

How He May Have Survived

Investigators believe Ryker wandered along familiar trail systems behind his home. Family members told authorities the child enjoyed chasing butterflies and looking under rocks, and searchers observed several overturned stones consistent with that behavior. Officials say he likely sheltered in the shed when the weather turned, which helped him avoid exposure to the elements and wildlife.

Privacy and Ongoing Care

The family has kept a low profile since the incident. Local officials confirmed Ryker returned to normal play with his siblings shortly after his release from the hospital. In December 2023 a content creator claimed to have spoken with Ryker’s older brother, who said Ryker was safe but had been traumatized in the immediate aftermath; that account has not been independently verified by authorities.

Takeaway

Ryker’s survival has been attributed to a rapid, multi-agency response, the chance that he sheltered from storms, and the timely discovery by nearby homeowners. The case served as a reminder of the importance of quick coordination between volunteers, law enforcement and search-and-rescue teams when children go missing in wilderness areas.