Family found safe after going missing while playing in the snow in Oregon, cops say

UPDATE: The Lane County Sheriff’s Office said all five people were found safe and in good health. The original story is below.

A family went to play in the snow in Oregon and never came home, police said.

Police are searching for two adults and three children who planned to come home Sunday, Dec. 12, but never returned, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office said.

Jobee and Renell Baumgardner took three children on a snow trip to the Springfield area, police said. They planned to play in the snow and be back home by 8 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.

Caleb Baumgardner, 14, Colton Baumgardner, 6, and Thomas Blanton, 14, were with the two adults.

“They advised that they would likely go to the area of HooDoo (near Santiam Pass on Hwy. 20) or Salt Creek Sno Park (near Willamette Pass on Hwy. 58),” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.

The group left in a blue or gray 2018 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with an Oregon license plate #475KVB, police said.

“They are believed to have experience in the snow but were likely not intending to stay overnight,” officials said. “Searchers are working with cellular providers to try and narrow the search area.”

The temperature in the Springfield area is expected to drop below 30 degrees overnight on Monday, Dec. 13. Springfield is about 110 miles south of Portland.

Anyone who has information on the family’s whereabouts can contact the sheriff’s office at 541-682-4150.

This story was originally published December 13, 2021 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Family found safe after going missing while playing in the snow in Oregon, cops say."