K-9 Jett Finds Missing Autistic Child In Thick Brush Of Woods: Sheriff

MONTGOMERY, NY — Good dog, Jett! Good dog!

The Orange County Sheriff's Office says that its K-9 Unit's "swift response and expert tracking skills" led to the unit finding a missing autistic child in the Village of Montgomery.

On Monday, around 6:50 a.m., the Village of Montgomery Police Department contacted the sheriff's office for help in finding a missing 11-year-old boy who had left his home around 5:40 a.m. and had not returned.

Once on the scene, Deputy Brian Burger deployed K-9 Jett to conduct a search of the area surrounding the home.

The sheriff's office says that K-9 Jett immediately picked up a scent trail behind the house, tracking through a wooded area. The dog then displayed a distinct change in behavior near the tree line before continuing east through a valley behind the home. Soon after, K-9 Jett found the child crouching deep in thick brush.

Deputy Matt King then safely retrieved the boy from the dense vegetation, and he was soon reunited with his mother.

"This case highlights the invaluable service our K-9 teams provide to the community," Sheriff Paul Arteta said. "The partnership between handlers and their K-9 partners is a critical asset in search-and-rescue operations. We are relieved that the boy was found safe and quickly returned to his family."

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says that it "remains committed to supporting local agencies in ensuring the safety of all residents. The effectiveness of the K-9 Unit continues to serve as a testament to the dedication and training of these teams."