Missing Autistic 9-Year-Old Found In Ruskin In Minutes With SafetyNet

RUSKIN, FL — A missing 9-year-old child with autism is safely back home thanks to the efforts of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the SafetyNet GPS program.

Deputies responded to the family's home in Ruskin Sunday just before 6 p.m. after the child went missing. Fortunately, the family had attached a SafetyNet personal locator beacon bracelet to the child.

Despite weather conditions turning adverse, with rain preventing aviation support, the sheriff's office conducted a ground search after picking up the signal from the locator beacon. At 6:50 p.m., just twenty minutes after the signal was detected, the child was found unharmed hiding behind a building's air-conditioning unit just 0.2 miles away from the point where he was last seen.

SafetyNet is a program used by law enforcement agencies across the country that provides users with a bracelet with GPS. For those who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, autism, dementia or other cognitive conditions, SafetyNet sends out a signal with GPS information that can locate them.

"I am incredibly proud of our deputies responsiveness and expertise that were instrumental in this successful recovery operation," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Their dedication to ensuring the safety of our community, especially vulnerable individuals like this child, is truly commendable. SafetyNet has proven to be a lifesaving tool, and I couldn't be more thankful for our strong partnership."

Caregivers who wish to sign their loved ones up for SafetyNet can register online by clicking here.