Our little peanut did that to our son one night. We were at a Halloween party when my son called and said he couldn't find him, he and the neighbors were out looking.
We immediately came home and our son was holding him. He said that Peanut was under my bed the entire time!
Little turkey bird. I didn't know whether to scold him or hug him...both of my boys

I decided on the hugs.
I'm glad your story had a happy ending!