K-9 Bloodhound Finds Missing Autistic Teen During Snowstorm
A K-9 is being credited with helping to save an autistic teen who wandered into the woods during a severe snowstorm that hit Bellaire, Texas.
The 15-year-old boy had left his home without his guardian’s knowledge and wandered into freezing temperatures. Officers were alerted at 11 a.m., and K-9 Margo, a bloodhound, was deployed to assist in the search. Sgt. Serg D’Alto of the Bellaire Police Department explained, “I would classify him as a vulnerable juvenile. This wasn’t the case of necessarily a runaway that we think went to a friend’s house or what not. Prior experience with this juvenile showed he is attracted to bodies of water.”
With that in mind, police focused their search on a wooded area near Glastonbury Way, where there are several streams and ponds. Officers also received a call from a nearby resident who reported seeing a suspicious person outside their home in the area before heading into the woods.
With K-9 Margo leading the way, she followed footprints and scent through the snow and ultimately tracked the teen to a location about one mile from his home. Officers immediately worked to warm him, with one officer giving the teen his coat. Police said they were relieved to find him as quickly as they did, noting that he was not dressed for the weather and could easily succumbed to hypothermia if he had remained outside much longer.
Authorities credited teamwork and Margo’s tracking skills for bringing the situation to a safe and swift conclusion.