safety reasons until a professional searcher found casey in vines and thorns. >> reporter: his parents calling out the searcher. >> thank him. thank him. >> yes, sir. >> went to him, disentangled him from some briars that he was hung up in, brought him out, and here we are. >> reporter: casey, still wearing his coat and shoes when found. the sheriff said he was also calling out for his mother. >> he was cut up and all, and you could tell he had been in the elements for quite some time. was extremely tired, cold, hungry. >> reporter: casey, now recovering in the hospital surrounded by family. >> try to close your eyes and put yourself in his shoes, it's scary. >> marcus, we know casey was found just a quarter mile from where he disappeared. police have tried to explain why it was difficult to find him? >> reporter: yes, it was very difficult. they had communication issues because it's in a rural area. also the weather made it difficult.