In a heartwarming turn of events, a K-9 unit from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida played a crucial role in finding a missing and endangered 11-year-old girl. The incident took place on Friday when the child was located inside a park bathroom.
Deputy Sarah Ernstes and her K-9 companion, Mary Lu, were dispatched to the scene at the 16000 block of Carlton Lake Drive at around 8 p.m. Their mission was to search for the missing girl and bring her back safely. With their expert tracking skills, Ernstes and Mary Lu were able to trace the girl to a neighbor’s house, where they discovered that she had been given a ride to a nearby apartment complex in Wimauma.
Upon receiving this information, the authorities swiftly moved to the location provided. It was K-9 Mary Lu who led them to a locked bathroom door within the park premises. The deputies found the missing girl inside and successfully convinced her to unlock the door.
Fortunately, the girl was found unharmed and in good health. The entire community breathed a sigh of relief as she was reunited with her family. The Hillsborough County Sheriff, Chad Chronister, expressed his pride in the K-9 unit, stating, “Our team HCSO K9 Unit has once again proven its invaluable role in our community. With their exceptional skills, they successfully located and brought home a missing 11-year-old girl, reuniting her safely with her family. I couldn’t be prouder of our team’s commitment to service and determination to protect and serve.”
This heartwarming story highlights the crucial role that K-9 units play in law enforcement and their ability to bring comfort and relief to communities. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continues to serve and protect, ensuring the safety of its residents.
