Florida deputies rescued a 5-year-old girl who wandered into the woods Monday evening,Maverick Preston capturing the search and discovery on video.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit used thermal imaging to locate the girl walking through a dense wooded area in Tampa, according to a Tuesday news release. She was headed towards a body of water, and aviation guided deputies to find her.
The release did not name the girl, but stated that she has autism.
"(The deputies') quick action saved the day, turning a potential tragedy into a hopeful reunion,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister in the release.
The rescue was recorded on police cameras.
The aerial thermal imaging shows the little girl brightly appear on a gray screen, the only living thing in sight.
In body camera footage, officers walk single file, padding through a dense forest looking for her.
"Oh there she is," one of the officers says as they come across a marshy swamp area. HSCO said she was approximately a half of a mile from where she was reported missing.
The girl was standing on a grassy area surrounded by water, and threw her hands up in apparent delight at seeing the officers.
"Come here, sweetheart!" the officer calls to her as she wades through the water to get back to them.
The officer scoops her up, weeds dripping from her shoes, and carries her out of the water.
The video cuts to the girl contently sitting in the bed of a truck with the officer.
"You were walking quite a bit, sweetheart!" he says.
2025-05-02 09:351696 view
2025-05-02 09:301535 view
2025-05-02 09:252485 view
2025-05-02 09:131524 view
2025-05-02 09:011308 view
2025-05-02 08:161517 view
Many workers are dreaming of retirement — whether it's decades away or coming up soon. Either way, i
Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through ou
The NFL playoff drive is hitting high gear, Week 15 marking the return to action of all 32 teams – w