HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Authorities are searching for a Mississippi man accused of abandoning his 5-year-old son in the woods.

Wayne County Sheriff Jody Ashley said the man being sought is 32-year-old Richard Dearman. The sheriff said Dearman told his son they had to hide last Wednesday because ‘‘the law was behind him,’’ and told him to stand by a tree until he returned.

Authorities said the child woke up cold and alone 24 hours later, and eventually walked out of the woods, following the sound of a barking dog at a house, where he found help.

The sheriff said Monday that the boy had minor cuts, but was OK.

Once found, Dearman faces charges including child endangerment.

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