Deputy Hailed as Hero After Rescuing Missing Autistic Child from Pond
Deltona, FL — A Florida sheriff’s deputy is being praised as a hero after rescuing a missing 5-year-old boy with autism who was found in a pond Tuesday evening.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, the child disappeared from his family’s home on Valmont Lane around 7:30 p.m. The boy’s father told deputies that his son managed to escape through a second-story door, triggering the home’s alarm system.
Frantic family members began searching immediately, knocking on doors and calling out for help before dialing 911. Deputies quickly launched a search of the neighborhood.
Within minutes, a deputy spotted the child in a nearby pond and rushed into the water to pull him to safety. The boy was evaluated by medical responders and is expected to make a full recovery.
“This deputy’s quick response and bravery saved a child’s life,” the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We are thankful for the outcome and for the community’s help in the search.”
Officials stressed the importance of securing homes, particularly for families with children who may be prone to wandering. Autism advocates note that water poses a heightened risk for children on the spectrum, making swift intervention critical.
Neighbors in the Deltona community expressed relief and gratitude for the rescue. “It could have ended so differently,” one resident said. “That deputy is truly a hero.”