An autistic child who wandered away from his Cape Coral home Wednesday night was safety located within an hour by emergency responders.
Police responded to a report of a missing 6-year-old boy at about 7 p.m. The child had disappeared from his home, located at 3126 S.E. 22nd Place, and his family could not locate him.
Officers with the 4th Platoon searched the neighborhood to locate the boy, along with the K-9 and aviation units. Cape EMS and fire personnel also aided in the search, which was complicated by the fact that the boy likes to hide from people in uniform as a result of his condition.
It was also beginning to get dark outside, officials noted.
About 7:45 p.m., EMS located the child in a canal. A police officer entered the water and rescued the boy, who was taken to HealthPark Hospital as a precaution.
Though the child’s condition was unknown Thursday, officials said he was expected to be fine.
The family did not immediately return a message seeking comment.