A Florida deputy’s quick thinking and bravery saved a 5-year-old boy with autism from drowning in a large pond.
We have seen many instances in the Bible where God miraculously rescues the people He loves. But when we look around, we can still see many such miracles where the hand of God is evident.
In this story, we witness God’s protection through the actions of a brave deputy who stepped up in a moment of crisis. It reminds us of how the Lord often works through ordinary people to safeguard His children, especially those who are most vulnerable.
On Tuesday evening, a father in Deltona, Florida called 911 in a panic. His young son with autism had gotten out of their house through an upstairs door. An alarm went off, but the boy was already gone. The family looked everywhere and asked neighbors to help before they called the police.
When the police got there, they searched the house and the area around it. The family told them their son had autism and liked water. This was very important information that helped the police know where to look.
The police started checking nearby ponds and lakes, knowing they could be dangerous for the missing boy. At about 7:48 p.m., Deputy Wes Brough heard a noise and saw the boy in a big pond. The child was holding onto a log in the water.
“He was making noises to get my attention and holding onto a dead tree stump barely sticking out of the water.” Brough later said.
Without wasting a second, Deputy Brough jumped into the pond and swam to the boy. His body camera recorded the whole thing.
The video shows Brough swimming to the boy and carrying him safely back to land. The child held on tight to the deputy, which touched Brough’s heart. He said, “It felt like my own child holding onto me.” Brough has three kids of his own, including a 5-year-old.
Once they were out of the water, doctors checked the boy and found he was okay. Then, they happily reunited him with his very relieved family. What could have been a sad story had a happy ending.
This successful rescue shows how important special training is. Deputy Brough and many other police officers had learned about autism. This training helps them handle all sorts of situations with people who have autism, including finding missing children.
This incident shows how hard it can be for families with autistic children. Many of these children tend to wander off, which experts call “elopement.” It’s a big worry for about half of all families with autistic children or adults. A study found that in many cases, these wandering incidents can be very dangerous, especially around water or traffic.
After the rescue, Deputy Brough thanked God. He said, “I thank God for putting me there and for keeping the boy above water. He was breathing fine when we got there. It’s all thanks to God for putting me in the right place at the right time.”
God’s hand was clearly at work in this rescue. He helped the child catch the deputy’s attention and gave Brough the strength to act quickly. We thank God for saving this precious life and using Deputy Brough as His instrument.
WATCH: Deputy Rescues Missing Child with Autism
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