Deputies in Florida reunited a 4-year-old boy with his father Friday after he went missing for hours in a wooded area near his home, authorities said.
Franklin “Frankie” Orwig III had disappeared from his home on Burgess Avenue in unincorporated Cocoa just before 9 a.m. Friday, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said.
Frankie’s father, Frank, told FOX35 Orlando that he fell asleep while his son played on an iPad, but when he woke up, Frankie was nowhere to be found.
“I wasn’t asleep for 35 minutes or so. Then I got up, I looked for him, he wasn’t in the house and I went crazy,” he said.
MICHIGAN OFFICER SHARES WARM HUG WITH MAN WHO FEELS OVERWHELMED WITH LIFE
A Brevard County helicopter located the boy in a wooded area and directed search teams to his location. (Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)
The sheriff’s office activated its Child Abduction Response Team and launched a helicopter to search from the air.
The helicopter pilot and tactical flight officer spotted the boy in a heavily wooded area and directed search and rescue teams on the ground to his location, Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.
The agents took the boy out of the woods to a safe place. (Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)
Frankie was found unharmed about 200 feet from his home with his loyal dog, Rufus, who had stayed by the boy’s side, the station reported.
KANSAS FAMILY DOG MISSING FOR 8 YEARS FOUND 8K MILES AWAY IN IDAHO
The sheriff’s office shared video of deputies leading Frankie out of the woods and reuniting him with his father.
Franklin “Frankie” Orwig III was found unharmed in Cocoa, Florida, and reunited with his father. (Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)
“I ran to him and didn’t even let go, he was crying so hard,” Frankie’s father said.
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The sheriff thanked the community and all involved agencies who assisted in the search.
“While today’s case thankfully ended when the little boy was found safe and sound, it was proof and a testament to how Brevard County law enforcement and its citizens partner to keep everyone safe,” Ivey said.
