'Help' cry is heard, but autistic Minnesota man not found

Workers whitewashing a structure near the city fairgrounds in Grantsburg, Wis., heard cries of "help" coming from deep in nearby woods Thursday and thought they might be coming from Keith Kennedy, a missing Shoreview, Minn., man who is autistic and urgently needs medication.

Associated Press

Last update: June 20, 2008 - 7:48 AM

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Burnett County officials received what they described as their best tip Thursday in the search for a 25-year-old Shoreview man -- but he remains missing.

Workers whitewashing a structure near the city fairgrounds in Grantsburg, Wis., heard cries of "help" coming from deep in nearby woods and thought they might be coming from Keith Kennedy, who is autistic and urgently needs medication.

According to Burnett County jail administrator Terry Nesvold, a spokesman for the search, the word "help" is in Kennedy's vocabulary and he has the capability to yell loudly.

More than 80 volunteers, officers on horseback and a search-and-rescue team were dispatched to the area, but they found no sign of him.

Kennedy wandered off Sunday night from Trade Lake Camp, which is 7 miles south of Grantsburg. He was wearing a dull orange shirt with blue wind pants.

Burnett County Sheriff Dean Roland said he now believes a driver may have picked up Kennedy because there have been no sightings, footprints or articles of clothing found.

More than 14 square miles have been covered in areas around the camp.

"The reality of it has been that it has been way too long now not to have found him," said Keith's mother, Linda Kennedy. "It's been torture. At this point, I just want him found, even if it turns out he has passed away. My biggest fear is living the nightmare of my son never being found."

Anyone interested in joining the search should first call the camp at 1-715-488-2690. Those with information are urged to call 1-715-488-2121.

RODRIGO ZAMITH

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