CLINTON TWP. — A 17-year-old township boy who had been smoking marijuana with his friends ran from his home around Saturday around 1:30 a.m., prompting a widespread search before he finally showed up about three hours later at an Appletree Drive home, police said today.

Township police were joined by police from Clinton and Readington Township as well as state troopers and were assisted by Clinton Fire Department, Clinton rescue squad, Annandale Hose Company, a private K-9 search team, and a State Police helicopter. Temperatures were in the mid-20s and the boy fled barefoot wearing only pajama bottoms and a long-sleeve shirt, according to police.

Authorities used walking searches, powerful lights and thermal imaging devices but failed to locate the boy.

The boy’s parents told Patrolman Sean Ross that the boy had been at home with a group of friends when he suddenly burst into their bedroom proclaiming “Jesus is our savior” and other related comments, police said. When the teen’s father tried to grab him, he ran from the house, leaving his friends upstairs, according to police.

After the friends were taken home by their parents, his father contacted them and found his son had become agitated and uncontrollable after smoking marijuana with them. The boy has no history of such behavior, police said.

When the boy showed up at the Appletree Drive home, Sgt. Mathew Wilson and members of Clinton rescue squad responded and him into custody. He was wet, cold to the touch and had no memory of the previous three-and-a-half hours, according to police. He was taken to Hunterdon Medical Center for treatment.