By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-09 23:30:33 | Updated at 2026-08-10 00:20:58
1 hour ago
Authorities in Illinois are desperately searching for a father and his young son who mysteriously disappeared after going for a walk.
Todd Sabatini, 36, and his toddler Theo left their home in McHenry at around 12pm on Saturday.
Family described the outing as a 'normal activity' but became concerned when they failed to return by 4pm.
They contacted the McHenry Police Department, which began a frantic search.
Family said the prolonged trip was 'unusual behavior' for Sabatini, who did not 'have the necessary provisions for an extended excursion with Theo,' PEOPLE reports.
Officers eventually discovered the 22-month-old's stroller abandoned behind a local business.
They later also obtained security footage showing Todd with his young son at a Jewel-Osco supermarket 'attempting to make contact with someone within Zion Lutheran Church.'
He also apparently spoke with someone at a local Taco Bell.
Todd Sabatini and his young son, Theo, were reported missing from their McHenry, Illinois home on Saturday night
Theo, 22 months, was last seen wearing a blue shirt and dark-colored shorts
Sabatini and Theo were last spotted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
It is unclear what the father may have been discussing with the locals.
Sabatini then obtained a rideshare and visited the Greenfield Police Department in Wisconsin, where he spoke with an officer.
He then left the police station with his son in tow on foot at around 2pm.
'As this behavior is unusual, the McHenry Police Department is actively working with the Greenfield Police Department to check the welfare of Todd and Theo,' officers said.
By Sunday evening, McHenry police said they had 'reliable information putting Todd and Theo in Milwaukee in the last couple of hours.'
'We are actively conducting searches and follow-up investigation efforts in that area,' the police department posted on Facebook, noting that both the father and son are now listed as missing persons.
Sabatini was last seen wearing a blue and black flannel shirt with a gray tank top, jeans and Converse sneakers, while Theo was last seen wearing a blue shirt and dark-colored shorts.
Investigators noted that Sabatini previously had facial hair but is now clean shaven.
The father was active on Facebook just three days before he vanished, sharing an image of him cradling Theo captioned with a heart emoji.
Anyone with information about their whereabouts is urged to contact the McHenry Police Department at (815) 363-2130.
