Dramatic bodycam footage has revealed the heart-stopping moment police officers rescued a six-year-old nonverbal autistic boy from a freezing pond on Christmas night, delivering an emotional reunion with his terrified father.
A Frantic Search on Christmas Night
The incident unfolded in Florida after the child, identified only as Coco, was reported missing by his panicked parents. The Volusia Sheriff's Office immediately launched a search, deploying their Air One helicopter to scan the area from above.
The breakthrough came when the Air One pilot spotted the small child standing in waist-deep, ice-cold water in a pond. The urgency was palpable in the pilot's radio transmission to officers on the ground: 'Just head straight North, you'll run right into him.'
Officers raced through the terrain, eventually finding Coco shivering violently in the water. Aware of his autism, one deputy was heard calmly advising his colleagues, 'Don't yell - I think that makes him nervous,' as they approached.
A Calm and Compassionate Rescue
The video shows an officer gently introducing himself to the confused and freezing boy. Scooping Coco up into his arms, the deputy assured him they were going to get him a warm blanket, highlighting the immediate danger: 'If somebody hasn't called rescue - we're going to need them. This water's really cold, and he's shaking.'
The most poignant moment followed shortly after, when Coco was brought to his waiting father. The two ran towards each other, embracing in a tearful and powerful reunion that marked the end of a terrifying ordeal.
A Pattern of Danger and Preventative Measures
Authorities revealed this was not the first such incident involving Coco. The sheriff's department stated the boy is known to be attracted to water and had been involved in a similar rescue from a pond in August 2024. Following that earlier scare, the family had enrolled him in swimming lessons.
After the Christmas rescue, deputies spoke again with Coco's family about improving safety measures. They specifically encouraged the use of an AngelSense tracker, a device designed for individuals with autism, special needs, or dementia, which allows caregivers to monitor location in real-time via a smartphone app.
The video of the rescue has spread widely across social media, drawing an outpouring of praise for the sensitive and swift actions of the first responders. Many comments came from parents of autistic children who shared similar fears, expressing profound relief at the happy outcome and gratitude towards the Volusia County deputies.
