Rescue of 5-Year-Old Boy with Autism Who Escaped from Home and Fell into Pond

A 5-year-old boy with autism was rescued from a Florida pond after he wandered away from his home Tuesday evening, authorities said.

The child, whose name was not released, went missing from his home in Deltona around 7:30 p.m. ET, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

He triggered an alarm after escaping through a second-story door, according to the sheriff’s office.

“The family immediately began looking, asked neighbors for help, and called 911,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

The boy is attracted to water, and deputies began checking bodies of water near the neighborhood when they did not find him in the immediate area, according to the sheriff’s office.

Several deputies went to a pond several blocks away, where Deputy Wes Brough “heard a voice and spotted the boy out in the water, hanging onto a log,” the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff’s office released body camera footage of the rescue, in which Brough can be heard calling out the child’s name after hearing him near the pond.

“He’s out here somewhere,” Brough says, before finding him and running toward the water. “I got him! I got him!”

At approximately 7:48 p.m. ET, Brough went into the water and carried the barefooted boy back to dry land.

“Wanna go see your parents?” a deputy asked.

The boy was medically cleared and returned to his family, the sheriff’s office said, which noted its deputies have received training “to help prepare for a wide variety of calls involving people with autism, including missing children.”

In a heart-stopping incident that occurred last week, a 5-year-old boy with autism managed to escape from his home and fell into a nearby pond. The boy, who has been identified as Liam, was reported missing by his frantic parents after they realized he had somehow slipped out of the house unnoticed.

The local police department immediately launched a search operation, with officers combing the neighborhood and surrounding areas in a desperate attempt to locate the missing child. As time passed and Liam remained unaccounted for, the community rallied together to assist in the search efforts, with volunteers joining in to help scour the area for any sign of the young boy.

After several hours of searching, a group of volunteers stumbled upon Liam near a pond located just a few blocks away from his home. The boy was found lying face down in the water, unconscious and unresponsive. Without hesitation, the volunteers sprang into action, pulling Liam out of the pond and administering CPR until emergency medical services arrived on the scene.

Thanks to the quick thinking and heroic actions of those involved in the rescue operation, Liam was successfully revived and rushed to the hospital for further medical treatment. Despite the terrifying ordeal he had just endured, Liam miraculously survived the incident with only minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety measures when it comes to caring for children with special needs, such as autism. It also highlights the incredible power of community solidarity and quick thinking in times of crisis, as the swift actions of those involved undoubtedly saved Liam’s life.

In light of this incident, experts are urging parents and caregivers of children with autism to take extra precautions to ensure their safety at all times. This includes installing secure locks on doors and windows, utilizing tracking devices or alarms, and providing children with identification bracelets or cards in case they wander off.

As for Liam, his family is immensely grateful to everyone who played a role in his rescue and are counting their blessings that he is safe and sound. The community has come together to support the family during this difficult time, offering their prayers and well-wishes for Liam’s speedy recovery.

In conclusion, the rescue of Liam serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community support and quick action in times of crisis. It also underscores the need for increased awareness and safety measures when caring for children with special needs. Thanks to the bravery and compassion of those involved, Liam’s story has a happy ending, and he can look forward to a bright future ahead.