The swift response and expert tracking skills of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit led to the safe recovery of a missing autistic child in the Village of Montgomery early Monday morning.

At approximately 6:50 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office was requested by the Village of Montgomery Police Department to assist in locating an 11-year-old boy, who had left his residence at 5:40 a.m and had not returned. Upon arrival at the residence, Deputy Brian Burger deployed K-9 Jett to conduct a search of the surrounding area.

K-9 Jett immediately picked up a scent trail behind the home, tracking through a wooded area. The K-9 displayed a distinct change in behavior near the tree line before continuing east through a valley behind the house. Moments later, K-9 Jett located the boy in a crouched position deep in thick brush. Deputy Burger notified assisting personnel, and Deputy Matt King safely retrieved the child from the dense vegetation.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement, the boy was reunited with his mother without incident.