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BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities are searching for a 2-year-old boy who wandered away from his home in a rural area of Hernando County on Thursday.

A Missing Child Alert was issued for Joshua “J.J.” Rowland Thursday evening.

Deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home near Cheever Road and Yontz Road in North Brooksville for a report of a missing child.

The sheriff’s office learned that the toddler left home while a parent was asleep. As of 7:30 p.m., the child has been missing for just under eight hours, according to Hernando County deputies.

J.J. was last seen wearing a gray Batman shirt and gray pants. He has blonde hair.

“We have law enforcement on foot and in vehicles, drones, aviation, K-9s from HCSO, Pasco K-9, Citrus K-9, the HCSO Mounted Unit, and deputies on side-by-sides,” the sheriff’s office said. “Every available resource is out searching at this time. No search parties are needed.”

People who live in the area are asked to check their properties, including under vehicles, in and around structures, and anywhere J.J. could possibly be hiding. If you see the toddler, deputies say to call 911.

Authorities believe J.J. was not abducted.

“We’re not ruling anything out. We’re going to uncover every stone until we find him,” Sheriff Al Nienhuis said. “We are not going to go home until we find J.J.”

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said ground searches have been suspended until the morning but a helicopter with infrared that tracks heat will continue flying.

Many volunteers and residents are searching for J.J.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said the search for J.J. will resume at 8 a.m.

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