Frantic family members called Florida deputies Monday afternoon after a 5-year-old girl with autism wandered away from her Tampa home.
Within an hour, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit located the girl with a thermal imaging camera. She was in a heavily wooded area with wetlands.
The aviation crew kept the girl in view and guided deputies on the ground to her. The deputies are seen in body camera footage pulling her out of a shallow swampy area and carrying her out to the street, where she could be reunited with her family.
She was not injured.
“Their quick action saved the day, turning potential tragedy into a hopeful reunion,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Their dedication shows what service and protection are all about here at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.”
The girl’s family gave permission to show her face in the video.
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[Featured image: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office]
