Police dog locates missing 3-year-old in woods

DELAND, Fla. (WPEC) — A K-9 named "Midnight," along with his handler, rescued a 3-year-old child who wandered a little too far from home, according to the Deland Police Department.

Police said at 11:30 a.m. on Friday officers received reports of a missing 3-year-old boy.

All available assets and resources were deployed to find the small children as a massive search was conducted that focused on a wooded area behind the boy's home.

Using a blanket, Midnight was able to pick up the child's scent and lead them to the toddler, police say.

The boy was found unharmed and was returned safely to his family.

Officers gifted the little boy with a Teddy bear that was part of a recent donation to their department.

Police said K-9 Midnight is trained to search for narcotics and missing people.

The police dog has been with the agency since 2022.