A heroic rescue unfolded in Deltona, Florida, where a 5-year-old boy with autism was saved from a pond by Volusia County Sheriff’s Deputy Wes Brough. The incident took place on August 6 after the child wandered from his home, triggering an alarm on the second-story door. His family immediately searched the area and called 911 for help.
Deputies responded quickly, but their initial search of the house and nearby areas yielded no results. Recognizing that the boy had autism and was attracted to water, the team expanded their search to local bodies of water. Acting on this critical insight, Deputy Brough and other officers rushed to a pond a few blocks away.
As Deputy Brough approached the pond, he spotted the child clinging to a log in the water. Without hesitation, the deputy waded into the pond, calling out to the boy to gain his attention. Carefully, he carried the child back to safety and reunited him with his anxious family.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the boy was medically cleared and unharmed, thanks to the quick actions of both his family and the deputies. The family had taken precautionary measures to secure their home, including an alarm system that immediately alerted them to the child’s absence.
Deputy Brough, a father of three, expressed his gratitude for being able to intervene at such a crucial moment. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “It felt like he was my own kid holding on to me.” The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office commended the deputy’s actions and highlighted the importance of autism awareness training for their team in handling such emergencies.
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