3 missing boys found in Monroe

Published 11:26 pm Thursday, July 16, 2009

MONROE – Three boys, ages 8 to 11, who had been missing since Wednesday night were found shortly after 9 a.m. today near their homes.

A major search had been under way in the area.

The boys, two brothers and a friend, were last seen last night by a sibling who believed they were on their way home.

Parents began to look around 9:45 p.m for the boys — Dylan Lewis, 11, and Eli and Ethyan Gertschitz, 10 and 8 — Monroe police spokeswoman Debbie Willis said earlier.

Police were called to the 18700 block of 137th Street SE around 10:30 p.m., she said.

Since then, crews had been systematically canvassing the area looking for the boys. A Snohomish County sheriff’s helicopter also participated in the search.