New Jersey State Police troopers rescued a four-year-old boy who got lost in the woods in Buena Vista Township, Atlantic City.
The boy wandered away from his home on Wednesday evening and was found nearly half a mile away in the barren South Jersey woods, accompanied by his black Labrador Retriever.
Dramatic video footage shows the troopers running after the frightened child who was dressed only in a flannel shirt and shorts.
Bodycam footage captures the dramatic moment the New Jersey State Police officers found the lost four-year-old boy in the woods. The officers can be seen running towards the boy and his black Labrador Retriever. As one of the officers gets closer to the boy, he shouts out, “I got him…I got him,” and reassures the child, “Hey buddy… I got you … you are okay.” The emotional boy cries and repeats, ‘I lost my shoe … I lost my shoe,’ as Trooper Ian Emmi picks him up and carries him to his mother.
The boy and his dog became lost, which prompted a distressing experience. Despite the mother hearing the boy’s panicked cries, it took over an hour to locate him.
According to a statement from the New Jersey State Police, Trooper Ian Emmi and the boy’s mother followed the sound of his voice and ultimately found him.
Although the incident left the boy frightened, he remained unharmed. The police did not disclose why the boy had strayed into the woods. The New Jersey State Police released a video of the dramatic rescue, which attracted thousands of views.
They also issued a statement, revealing that troopers from Buena Vista Station had responded to a missing child report. The statement indicated that the boy and his black Labrador wandered off from their house and were lost for over an hour.
Fortunately, thanks to the speedy actions of the troopers and the child’s mother, the boy was located and found to be in good health.
Numerous individuals praised the officers for their swift response, as well as the boy’s loyal dog who remained by his side throughout the ordeal. ‘Thank God! Thank you NJ State Police and the boys mother, excellent news that he was found with his protective dog,’ one person wrote.
Another person stated, ‘How grateful we are this ended well with the rescue of this poor lost boy. Great work by his Mom joined by the our NJSP! Well done, Troopers.’ Someone else added, ‘Great job to all. Especially the dog, he would have never left that kid. May even have brought him home.’