Beware: False Missing Child Alerts Flooding Facebook — What You Need to KnowRecently, Facebook has been swamped with viral posts claiming a young boy was found alone late at night—either in Hereford or King’s Lynn—rescued by a so-called “Deputy Tyler Cooper.” These messages, often shared in large community groups, show heartbreaking images of a bruised child and urge users to “flood feeds” to help find his family.
But here’s the truth: these posts are completely false. West Mercia Police have confirmed no such incident happened in Hereford — and there is no officer named Tyler Cooper on their force. Norfolk Constabulary also debunked the story, confirming no case in King’s Lynn and that the rank “deputy” doesn’t exist in their police structure.
Sadly, these hoaxes are part of a troubling trend on Facebook. They prey on people’s emotions, quickly going viral — only to be edited later to promote scams such as cashback offers or misleading real estate ads.
How to protect yourself and your community:
- Be cautious of posts with disabled comments—a red flag for fake stories.
- Watch for identical posts shared across multiple groups or pages.
- Always verify with a trusted news source or official police statement before sharing.
- If you spot suspicious content, report it directly to Facebook to help stop the spread.
These false alerts don’t just cause panic—they drown out real information and overwhelm local groups. Many have called on Meta to take stronger action to tackle this growing problem.
Stay vigilant, and help stop misinformation in its tracks.
English Boy Rescued After Being Lost for Days
This approximately 2-year-old boy was found wandering alone in the forest by a group of hikers last weekend. The child, who appeared to be scared and hungry, was immediately taken to the nearest ranger station for help. Thanks to the quick actions of the hikers, the boy was reunited with his family within hours.
How Did the Hikers Discover the Boy?
The group of hikers stumbled upon the boy while they were exploring a remote trail in the forest. The child, who was wearing torn clothes and had scratches on his arms, looked like he had been lost for some time. The hikers knew they had to act fast to help the little boy find his way back home.
What Happened Next?
After finding the boy, the hikers used their cell phone to call the ranger station for assistance. They provided the exact location of where they found the child and waited for help to arrive. The rangers quickly located the boy’s family and brought them together at the station.
How Was the Boy Reunited with His Family?
The rangers worked closely with the local police to track down the boy’s family based on the information provided by the hikers. Within hours, the boy’s parents were at the ranger station, tearfully embracing their son. It was a heartwarming moment for everyone involved.
What Lessons Can We Learn from This Experience?
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant when exploring the great outdoors, especially with young children. It also highlights the power of teamwork and quick thinking in times of crisis. By working together, the hikers, rangers, and police were able to ensure a happy ending for the lost boy and his family.
In conclusion, the rescue of this approximately 2-year-old boy serves as a shining example of community spirit and compassion. Thanks to the swift actions of the hikers and the coordinated efforts of the rescue teams, a potentially tragic situation was turned into a joyous reunion. Let this story be a lesson to us all to always be prepared and willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
