Deputy Rescues Child from Florida Pond

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – In a dramatic rescue captured on body camera footage, deputies from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office saved a 5-year-old boy from a pond in Deltona on Tuesday night. The incident began around 7:30 p.m. when the boy’s father reported him missing after he escaped through a second-story door, triggering an alarm that alerted the family. The boy, who has autism and is drawn to water, was quickly reported missing, prompting the family to call 911 and enlist the help of neighbors. Upon arrival, deputies conducted a thorough search of the home and surrounding area but were unable to locate the child. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, they expanded their search to nearby bodies of water. Deputy Wes Brough soon spotted the boy clinging to a log in a pond behind Toluca Court. The body camera footage reveals the tense moments as Deputy Brough quickly jumped into the water to rescue the child. After successfully bringing the boy to safety, he was medically cleared and reunited with his family. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the family had taken precautions to secure their home, and all deputies involved in the search had received Autism Awareness training. This training equips them to effectively respond to various situations involving individuals with autism, including cases of missing children.