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.