When three-year-old Ryker Webb disappeared from his family home in northwestern Montana in June 2022, an enormous search effort began across rugged terrain near Bull Lake.
The little boy had last been seen outside his home south of Troy, Montana, after playing with the family dog. Within hours, search teams were working through dense vegetation and difficult weather conditions to find him.
For nearly two days, there was no sign of Ryker.
Then, on June 5, a couple checking their remote property heard a child’s voice near a shed.
Inside, they discovered the missing toddler.
Cold, hungry and thirsty but alive, Ryker had managed to find shelter and survive the harsh conditions until someone came looking in exactly the place where he had taken refuge.
Ryker Webb Disappears Near Bull Lake
Ryker was last seen on the afternoon of June 3, 2022, near the 18-mile marker of Montana Highway 56, south of Troy and on the eastern side of Bull Lake.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, a concerned neighbor reported the missing child at approximately 4:53 p.m.
Ryker had reportedly been playing outside with the family dog before disappearing.
His disappearance immediately raised concern because of his young age and the challenging environment surrounding the home.
The Bull Lake area includes dense forest and rugged terrain, making a search for a small child particularly difficult.
Search Crews Face Difficult Weather
The search expanded quickly.
Deputies and search-and-rescue personnel were joined by volunteers, dog teams, ATV crews, drones and aircraft.
A boat unit was also deployed on the lake.
Searchers faced heavy rain, thunderstorms, low visibility and low cloud ceilings. The weather prevented some aircraft from reaching the area, while dense vegetation made ground searches difficult.
The Montana Air National Guard eventually sent helicopters to assist, while additional search resources came from surrounding jurisdictions.
A Code Red alert was also issued to people living nearby, asking residents to check their own properties and structures.
Nearly 48 Hours Without an Answer
As the hours passed, concern for Ryker grew.
Searchers covered the surrounding countryside while investigators and volunteers tried to determine where the toddler might have gone after leaving his home.
The fact that Ryker was only three years old made the search particularly urgent.
At one point, more than 50 people were actively involved in the search.
Yet there was still no confirmed sighting.
The combination of rugged terrain, thick vegetation and poor weather made the search increasingly challenging.
A Voice Comes From a Shed
On Sunday, June 5, a couple arrived at their cabin in the area and heard something near a shed.
They discovered that the sound was coming from inside.
When they opened the structure, they found Ryker.
He had apparently taken shelter there after wandering away from home.
Sheriff Darren Short later said he believed Ryker had remained in the shed from Friday evening until he was found Sunday.
Inside was a lawnmower bag, and authorities said Ryker appeared to have used it as a place to sleep and stay warm.
The discovery brought the search to a dramatic end.
After nearly two days in the wilderness, the missing toddler had been found alive.
Ryker Was Cold, Hungry and Thirsty
When rescuers reached Ryker, he was described as being in good spirits and apparently in good health despite the ordeal.
He was hungry, thirsty and cold.
A Bull Lake volunteer ambulance transported him to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for medical evaluation. Officials said he was treated for dehydration.
The fact that he had survived approximately two days outdoors became one of the most remarkable aspects of the case.
For his family and the search teams who had spent days looking for him, the discovery brought an enormous sense of relief.
How Far Had Ryker Traveled?
Ryker was found near Pine Ridge Road and South Fork Bull River Road in Sanders County, approximately 2.4 miles from the location where he had disappeared.
That distance presented a significant challenge for searchers because a young child moving through unfamiliar wilderness can be difficult to track.
The search had also been complicated by weather and vegetation.
Ultimately, the toddler’s location was discovered not through an aerial search or a large search team, but after people checking a remote property heard him inside a shed.
The Age Confusion in the Case
One detail about the case was initially reported incorrectly.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office originally identified Ryker as 4 years old.
Authorities later corrected his age, confirming that he was actually 3 years old at the time of the disappearance.
That correction was subsequently reflected in national reports about the rescue.
Ryker Webb Rescue Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Ryker Webb |
| Age at disappearance | 3 |
| Date reported missing | June 3, 2022 |
| Date found | June 5, 2022 |
| Location last seen | Bull Lake area near Troy, Montana |
| Last known activity | Playing outside with the family dog |
| Search area | Bull Lake area, Lincoln County |
| Discovery location | Pine Ridge Road area, Sanders County |
| Distance from home | Approximately 2.4 miles |
| Search duration | About two days |
| Search resources | Deputies, search-and-rescue teams, dogs, drones, ATVs, boats and aircraft |
| Weather conditions | Rain, thunderstorms, low visibility and low cloud ceilings |
| Condition when found | Cold, hungry and thirsty but apparently healthy |
| Medical treatment | Evaluated and treated for dehydration |
| Shelter | Shed containing a lawnmower bag |
A Search That Ended in Relief
Ryker’s disappearance brought together law enforcement officers, professional search teams, volunteers and residents from surrounding communities.
The search involved numerous agencies and organizations, including the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, David Thompson Search and Rescue, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, local fire and rescue organizations, neighboring law-enforcement agencies and aerial search crews.
The effort also depended heavily on local residents.
People searched properties and structures around the area after authorities asked the community to assist.
That community involvement ultimately proved significant because Ryker was discovered at a remote property after the occupants heard him.
What Happened After Ryker Was Found?
Ryker was taken to the hospital for evaluation after his rescue.
Officials said he was apparently healthy despite being cold, hungry and thirsty.
The immediate medical concern was dehydration, and he received treatment before being reunited with his family.
The case attracted widespread attention because of the combination of Ryker’s age, the difficult terrain and the length of time he survived outdoors.
The Ryker Webb Story Years Later
Ryker Webb’s disappearance remains one of the more remarkable missing-child survival stories associated with Montana.
The case began with a brief disappearance from his family’s property and developed into a major search through difficult wilderness terrain.
For approximately two days, searchers had no idea where the toddler was.
Meanwhile, Ryker had found a small structure that offered protection from the weather.
His decision—or instinct—to remain inside the shed ultimately kept him sheltered until the property owners arrived.
The case also demonstrated how quickly a missing-child search can expand when law enforcement, volunteers, residents and specialist teams work together.
Latest Update
Ryker Webb was successfully found alive on June 5, 2022, after approximately two days missing in the Bull Lake area of northwestern Montana.
He was three years old at the time, despite the initial reports incorrectly identifying him as four.
He was found cold, hungry and thirsty but otherwise apparently healthy, and was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment for dehydration.
The rescue brought the search to a safe conclusion after an extensive effort involving numerous agencies, volunteers and members of the local community.
Disclaimer
This article recounts the 2022 disappearance and rescue of Ryker Webb based on information reported by authorities and contemporary news coverage. Some early reports contained an incorrect age, which was later corrected by authorities. Details of the case should therefore be understood in the context of the corrected information released after Ryker was found.