Drones and Canines Search for Missing NC Teen

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating 14 year old Gideon Andrew Ferguson, who was reported missing Wednesday after last being seen around 4 p.m. at his home on Watermoss Drive near Triplett Road in the Amity Hill community, as Queen City News reported.

Since then, deputies have launched a wide search effort that includes ground teams, canine units, and aerial support from drones, a familiar playbook when time matters and terrain is thick with woods and blind spots.

Law enforcement has kept resources in the field as the search moved into Thursday, with deputies scanning nearby wooded areas from the ground while drones sweep from above, mapping and rechecking zones that are hard to reach on foot. The goal has been simple and urgent, find Gideon as quickly as possible.

Search Efforts Expand Beyond the Woods

According to Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell, between 50 and 100 personnel have been involved in the search at various points, combing through wooded areas around the neighborhood.

Canine teams have worked scent trails, while drones provide a higher vantage point to spot movement or clues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

However, Campbell has acknowledged a difficult reality. Investigators have found little to no physical evidence, and based on the scale of the ground and aerial search so far, there is growing concern that Gideon may not be in the woods.

Even so, the sheriff has stressed that crews will continue searching as a precaution, working into the evening until cold conditions force a pause, then resuming again early the next morning. In his words, no stone will be left unturned.

FBI Joins Digital Investigation

As the physical search continues, the investigation is also expanding into the digital world. Sheriff Campbell confirmed that the FBI has offered assistance, which he accepted, specifically for digital forensics.

The focus now includes Gideon’s gaming consoles and social media activity, with platforms such as Fortnite and Roblox being examined closely.

The FBI brings the ability to fast track access to digital evidence, including deleted messages and password protected communications, a capability that local agencies often cannot match on their own.

This shift reflects emerging evidence that points toward online activity as a possible factor, though Campbell has been careful not to draw conclusions. At this stage, authorities are considering all possibilities, including the chance that Gideon may have left willingly or was contacted by someone online.

An Amber Alert has not been issued, as state law requires confirmation of an abduction or kidnapping, criteria that have not been met at this time.

Anyone who has seen Gideon or has information that could help locate him is urged to call 911 immediately.

DroneXL’s Take

This case shows how modern search operations blend boots on the ground with eyes in the sky and now fingers on keyboards.

Drones remain a critical tool for covering terrain quickly and safely, but when physical clues run dry, digital forensics can become just as important as thermal cameras and canine teams.

The hope is that by combining all three, drone, ground, and online investigators can close the gap and bring Gideon home safely.

Photo credit: Iredell County Sheriff’s Office