PACE, Fla. (KMOX) — A 3-year-old boy with special needs who went missing Sunday is home safe after Flordia authorities located him with the help of their bloodhounds.
"The child unknowingly opened a locked door and wandered into a large wooded area near the home," police said in a Facebook post Monday. "After the immediate search of the area was unsuccessful, the (Santa Rosa County) Sheriff’s bloodhounds arrived on scene to assist."
Police say the K-9 unit led police approximately 200 yards into an extremely wooded and muddy area where they discovered the boy huddled under heavy brush within 28 minutes. He was removed and taken to EMS.
"The photo of Deputy Lenzo carrying the 3-year-old out of the woods speaks volumes as to the seriousness of the incident," police said in the post.
About a year ago, the agency began using bloodhounds, according to Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson. Since then, police say the canines have located nine individuals including fleeing criminals and missing persons.
"That's all they do, is track people, and they are really, really good at it," Johnson said in a press conference.
"Other than a few scratches and bug bites, he is doing well," police said about the boy who was reunited with his family.