VOLUSIA COUNTY, FL — A 6-year-old boy with autism was rescued from a pond on Christmas night after wandering away from his home, prompting a large-scale search that included ground deputies and a sheriff’s helicopter, authorities said.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the boy, who is nonverbal and known to be attracted to water, disappeared from his home in Deltona shortly before nightfall. Deputies quickly launched a search, deploying patrol units and aviation support due to the heightened risk water poses to children with autism.
A sheriff’s helicopter located the child standing in chest-deep water in a nearby pond, illuminated by thermal imaging. Deputies rushed to the scene and safely pulled him from the water. Officials said the boy was cold but unharmed and was reunited with his family after being evaluated.
Authorities confirmed this was the second water-related rescue involving the same child in about five months. In August, deputies responded to a similar incident in which the boy was also found in a pond. Since that earlier rescue, the child had begun swimming lessons, officials said.
The sheriff’s office again used the incident to highlight safety concerns for children with autism, noting that wandering and attraction to water are major risk factors. Deputies urged families to consider door alarms, fencing, constant supervision and GPS tracking devices to help prevent similar emergencies.
