When Jacob Bates went missing during a bike ride with his dad on a trail in River Legacy Park in Arlington, Texas, on February 23, 2026, his father, Scot, became very concerned. “We were having the best time,” Scot Bates told People. “And then it turned into a complete nightmare.” Jacob, 24, has autism, and Scot contacted the police for help. The area where the father and son biked is known for bobcats, coyotes, and wild pigs, which made his disappearance even more frightening.  When the Arlington Police Department didn’t find Jacob, they called on volunteers to help. David Dedwylder and Chance Sauser answered that call. David Dedwylder and Chance Sauser Knew They Had to Help Find Jacob Bates Chance told People that David contacted him to help find Jacob Bates because he has a heat-detecting drone. “He said I think you might be this kid’s only hope,” Chance recalled. “And I was like, man, when you put it like that, I’ve got to come, right?” Together, David and Chance came up with a plan and used the drone to search for Jacob. With just minutes of battery remaining, they found him. “He called me and asked if Jake was wearing a blue shirt. I told him yes, and I asked if he was standing. He said yes, he is,” Scot Bates said. “I knew then he was OK.” Jacob Bates had been missing for nearly 12 hours, but Chance and David found him. “I’ll never forget when I heard him yell back,” Tim Gundlach, Jacob’s uncle, recalled. “I knew he may not be in great shape, but he’s alive.” David said he will never forget that day, and he’s so happy that he and his good friend could help give this story a happy ending. “The story of Jacob is one that will stick with me forever,” he said. “It’s crazy what you run across in life, and this says you’re here for a reason.” This story’s featured image can be found here.