‘I’VE GOT YOUR BUDGET’: Heart-warming moment cops find a four-year-old crying while being guarded by his pet dog after he got lost in the woods of South Jersey
- The little boy was lost in the woods of South Jersey for about an hour on Wednesday
- The boy moved away from his home in Buena Vista, Atlantic City
- The mother said she heard her son’s frantic cries but could not locate him
This is the heart-warming moment New Jersey State Police soldiers rescued a four-year-old boy who got lost in the woods.
The frightened little boy, whose name has not been released, went missing after wandering away from his home in Buena Vista, Atlantic City, on Wednesday night.
The dramatic video clip shows soldiers running after the young boy — in only a T-shirt and shorts — with his dog, a black Labrador Retriever, in the barren woods of South Jersey about half a mile from his home.
In body camera footage, officers are seen running during the rescue as one officer yells, “I got it… I got it.” The officer is then heard summoning the young man in a reassuring tone. “My friend… I got you… You’re fine.”
The boy is overwhelmed and is heard crying out over and over, “I’ve lost my shoes… I’ve lost my shoes,” as Trooper Ian Amy pounces on the child and holds the boy in his arms before taking the child to his mother.
The frightened little boy (pictured), whose name has not been released, went missing after wandering away from his home in Buena Vista, Atlantic City on Wednesday night.
Photo of the woods in Buena Vista, New Jersey, where the boy wandered
The horrific ordeal began when the boy and his dog lost their way. The boy’s mother said she could hear her son’s frantic cries but was unable to locate him for more than an hour.
New Jersey State Trooper Ian Amy and the boy’s mother followed the sounds of the young boy’s voice and were soon able to locate the boy, according to a statement from the New Jersey State Police.
The frightened young man was shaken by the accident but not injured.
Police did not reveal what prompted the boy to wander into the woods.
The state police released a video of the dramatic rescue, which has garnered thousands of views. They also issued a statement.
“Last night, soldiers from Buena Vista Station responded to a report of a missing child in Buena Vista Tip, Atlantic County.”
“A 4-year-old and his black Labrador have wandered away from his home and have been missing for over an hour.”
While searching for the child, Trooper Ian Amy and the child’s mother heard his voice in the distance and ran to his location about half a mile from his home.
“We are grateful to report that due to the quick response from the soldiers and his mother, the terrified child was delivered safely and in good health.”
The boy’s mother is seen holding her son tightly in her arms during the rescue
Police statement released by the New Jersey State Police after the rescue
Many praised the officers for their prompt action and the boy’s dog, who never left his best friend’s side.
‘Thank God! Thanks to the NJ State Police and the mom of the boys, excellent news that he was found with his protective dog,” one person wrote.
Another commented: “How grateful we are that this ended so well with the rescue of this poor lost boy. His mother joined in the great work by NJSP! Well done troopers.”
“Wonderful work everyone. Especially the dog, he would never have left that kid. Might have brought him home,” one of them quipped.