Thanks to a series of coordinated efforts among helicopter, K-9, and the Project Lifesaver program, an 8-year-old boy was rescued and delivered home safely.
Police were alerted to a missing juvenile on Saturday, Oct. 13. The little boy, who is autistic, left his Clifton area home on his scooter around 2 p.m. Family and officers searched the home and neighborhood but did not find the missing boy.
Fortunately, this family had registered their son with the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver Program. He wears an electronic bracelet at all times that helps officers locate him in the event of an emergency. With the assistance of the FCPD helicopter, a K-9 team, Fairfax County Sheriff’s deputies and ground patrol officers, a faint transmitter signal was heard that led searchers to a heavily wooded area near Otter Run Court.
After about an hour’s search, officers spotted the child waist-deep in the frigid waters of Otter Run creek, looking up and watching the helicopter. Officers allowed the boy to pet the K-9, named Nero, and pulled him to safety. The boy, although cold and wet, was not seriously injured and did not require hospitalization.
After reuniting the boy with his parents, helicopter officers heard a call for emergency help at 4 p.m. A police officer working at Cox’s Farm had encountered a toddler who was choking and unconscious. Since the crew was in the vicinity, the crew was immediately able to land in the hay field. They rendered aid and brought the child to Inova Fairfax Hospital, rendering care throughout the flight.