K9 Puppy Finds Missing Autistic 5-Year-Old In Waist-Deep Water In Maine Swamp

A missing 5-year-old girl with autism was found safe last week after a K9 puppy tracked her to a swamp near her home, officials said.

Maine State Police said a 5-year-old girl with autism was reported missing from her home in Palermo on May 16. At around 5:30 p.m., the girl was found “waist-deep in water” but uninjured in a cedar swamp off Rowe Road, about a third of a mile from her home.

The girl was found thanks to the efforts of K9 bloodhound puppy Millie, along with her handler, Corporal Eric Sucy, and Maine Game Warden Julia Horst.

“Millie is only 10 months old, yet shes already proving herself time and again with her dedication, sweet disposition, and incredible nose,” state police said of the young bloodhound. “Were so proud of Millie and the team — heres to many more successful missions!”

Last month, Millie helped find a missing 77-year-old woman with cognitive issues, who was seen leaving her Rockport home at around 7:30 p.m. on April 23. After a search by law enforcement was unsuccessful, Millie was called in to assist.

“Using one of the womans socks as a scent article, Millie started her track nearly a mile from the womans home where a neighbor had last seen her walking,” police said. “Just six minutes (!) and a quarter mile later, Millie led her handler, Specialist Eric Sucy, to an outbuilding where the woman was found and safely recovered.”