Police in Florida were able to track down and rescue a missing five-year-old girl who wandered off into a swamp after spotting her on thermal imaging cameras.
A huge search was launched for the youngster, who has autism, after she slipped out from the family home near Tampa at around 5.10pm on Monday.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office scrambled a helicopter equipped with thermal imaging cameras to scour the wilderness for the child as darkness threatened to set in.
Audio released from a deputy’s radio on the helicopter records the moment they thought they had spotted something, saying: “Hey, I think I got her in the woods, she might be able to hear her name if you call her. She might be about 80 feet in front of you.”
Using the thermal camera the deputy on the aircraft was able to guide colleagues on the ground towards the five-year-old who it was feared was walking towards a large body of deeper water.
In a heart-warming moment recorded on a bodycam the little girl can be seen holding out her arms as she gingerly steps through the water in her shoes towards a police officer.
As he picks up the child the deputy says: “Let’s get you out of the water. I’ll get you to everyone.”
Cops carry the girl out of the woods to safety before she is checked over and returned to her grateful family.
As she is put down on the back of a police pick-up the girl gives a cheeky smile to one of the body cameras, seemingly showing she is none the worse for her ordeal.
A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said: “Using a thermal imaging camera, aviation found the girl walking through a heavily wooded area with wetlands.
“In the footage, you can see the child approaching a body of water. Recognising the pending danger, the aviation unit worked quickly, guiding deputies on the ground to her location, where she was found safe and without injury.
“Their quick action saved the day, turning a potential tragedy into a hopeful reunion, their dedication shows what service and protection are all about here at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.”
