Florida deputies rescue 5-year-old girl with autism who wandered into swamp: 'We were looking for you'
Bodycam footage shows law enforcement finding the child who wandered away from her Tampa, Florida, home
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Deputies in Florida recently saved a Tampa girl who was reported missing and found in a swampy, wooded area.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) posted a video on Facebook showing the rescue, which took place on Monday evening.
"On February 26, 2024, at 5:10 p.m., #teamHCSO's Aviation Unit was called to assist deputies in locating a five-year-old autistic child who had wandered away from home in Tampa," the HCSO wrote on Facebook.
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"In under an hour, our deputies were able to locate the girl, who was found unharmed and returned to her family."
Florida deputies recently saved a child with autism after she wandered through the woods in Tampa. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
The officer's aviation unit used a thermal imaging camera to find the girl.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The video posted by the HCSO shows friendly deputies approaching the girl and trying to help her out of the swamp.
"Come here, sweetie," a deputy is heard saying in the footage. "Come on, sweetheart."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Video posted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shows friendly deputies approaching the girl. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
In the bodycam footage, a deputy is seen embracing the child.
"Hi, baby girl. Let's get you out of the water," he said.
"You were walking quite a bit, sweetheart," a deputy said to the girl after she was taken to a law enforcement vehicle. "We were looking for you, sweetheart."
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The aviation unit of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office used a thermal imaging camera to find the girl. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
Sheriff Chad Chronister commended the officers, saying that 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," Chronister said in a statement.
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Sheriff Chad Chronister commended the officers who saved the girl. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
A representative at the HCSO told Fox News Digital that the girl's parents were at home when she wandered off. At this time, no charges will be filed.
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