Arizona police have shared how authorities were able to track down a 5-year-old boy who wandered into the desert with his dog.
On June 30, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office uploaded nearly three minutes of bodycam footage to YouTube that showed the efforts local sheriff deputies underwent to find the missing child.
The sheriff’s office received a call about a child who had ventured into the desert and could not be located on June 22, the video’s description said. In the footage, a dispatcher relays to an officer that the 5-year-old’s grandparent told police he was wearing an all-green outfit and he “ran away from the location chasing the family dog.”
The child’s grandmother informed police that the family dog usually returned after running off but had not done so this time. As the clip continues, an officer is seen walking through some shrubbery before he spots the young boy and his dog by his side.
“Hi buddy!” the officer says as he approaches the child and picks him up. A couple other officers then attempt to capture the dog. The bodycam footage indicates that the boy was found close to 11 p.m.
One officer carries the child on his shoulders and asks, “Are you ready to fly?” before placing him on the ground.
The officer continues, “You want to go for a ride? Want to go see mama? Let’s go see her!”
The video also includes the emotional reunion between the child and his family.
“Don’t do that!” a tearful woman says as she embraces the boy.
The officers inform the family where they found the 5-year-old and explain they weren’t able to get the dog to follow them as the footage ends.
Police provided more information about the rescue beneath the video.
“The rescue was aided by MCSO K9 Bloodhound Piper, whose tracking skills were crucial in finding the boy quickly,” the description said. “Thanks to the quick response and dedication of our deputies, the boy was found safe with his loyal dog by his side and reunited with his relieved family. We’re grateful for this positive outcome and the teamwork that made it possible.”
Leave a Reply