Man Charged After Missing Person Search in Herkimer County Woods

CNY Online News
Oct 16
2 min read

OHIO, N.Y. — On October 12, 2025, at approximately 7:30 p.m., New York State Police responded to a report of a missing person at a remote campsite off Christman Road Spur, accessible only by an ATV trail in a heavily wooded area of the Town of Ohio, Herkimer County.

According to investigators, a 12-year-old reported that their hunting companion had become lost in the woods. State Police immediately launched a search effort, deploying K9 units, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

At around 8:00 a.m. on October 13, search teams located the missing individual, identified as Ryan D. Zawtocki, age 28, of Salisbury Center, NY. Zawtocki told troopers he became disoriented and took shelter overnight in an unoccupied nearby camp to stay warm.

Further investigation revealed that Zawtocki had been hunting with the 12-year-old, who had previously completed a hunter safety course. During the outing, Zawtocki allegedly provided the juvenile with an illegal semi-automatic rifle. The child, unfamiliar with the weapon, discharged one round into the ground before the two became separated.

The juvenile eventually sought help from a nearby residence after being unable to locate Zawtocki. Both were later found unharmed.

Following the investigation, on October 15, 2025, Zawtocki was charged with:

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Assault Rifle) – Class D Felony
Endangering the Welfare of a Child – Class A Misdemeanor

Zawtocki was arraigned in the Town of Ohio Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to reappear in court on December 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

State Police were assisted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Forest Rangers.