Deputies Locate, Hug Terrified Florida Teen With Autism Who Got Lost After Dark

An autistic teenager in Florida was relieved to be found by deputies after she became lost on a biking trail after the sun set and her phone died.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said a 14-year-old girl with autism was riding her bike along a trail near Peavy Grade in Palm Coast on July 6 when the sun set and she couldn’t find her way home. She called her mother on FaceTime just before her phone battery died, with visible train tracks the only clue to her location.

Deputies responded to search the area near the train tracks along with the girl’s mother, and they located her at around 9:20 p.m.

Body-worn camera video shows the area was in pitch darkness when deputies arrived with flashlights and told the girl her mother was there with them. There was terror in the girl’s voice as she desperately called for her mother.

“Hey you’re OK, we’re gonna take you to your mom, OK?” a deputy says as the girl catches her breath from crying. 

“Can I have a hug? I’m so scared,” the girl says, still crying. She hugs the deputy and says, “thank you so much, I thought I was going to die out here.”

The girl settles down a bit after walking back with deputies to her mother.

“I’m sorry, mom,” she says.

“I know, it’s OK,” her mom assures her.

“I commend our deputies for finding this scared and lost child and reuniting her with her mother,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This was a joyous occasion by all, including our deputies.”