Early Thursday morning, Feb. 26, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office announced that emergency responders were searching for a 21-year-old autistic man who cannot speak who left his Blackman community home early this morning.
Chaston Mullinax is about 5-foot-7 and weighs about 220 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki shorts, black Nike shoes and jacket. He is nonverbal but can communicate by writing.
Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Aviation Unit searched by air as deputies began searching for Mullinax after his family reported him missing. He was believed to be walking near the Murfreesboro city limits.
Murfreesboro Police and Rutherford County Fire Rescue joined the search. Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Romans and bloodhound Georgia found Mullinax's trail in the area.
He was found safe around 7 a.m. in Smyrna.