Ohio Officers Praised for Rescuing Autistic Girl from Pond

The family of the 6-year-old child, who is non-verbal, reported her missing just after 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

May 17, 2023

Blue Ash, OH, police officers prepare to enter a pond to rescue a six-year-old autistic girl.Blue Ash, OH, police officers prepare to enter a pond to rescue a six-year-old autistic girl.Still from Blue Ash PD Body Camera

Two Blue Ash, OH, police officers are being called heroes after rescuing an autistic child from a pond on Sunday.

The family of the 6-year-old child, who is non-verbal, reported her missing just after 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon, ABC6 reports.

Blue Ash Police Sgt. Todd Stewart and Officer Tim Bittner arrived on scene to find the 6-year-old in the middle of the pond.

The officers removed their equipment – including their body cams – and entered the pond.

The girl was brought to shore and reunited with her family, shaken up but unharmed. It was the ideal outcome for a tense situation thanks to some quick-thinking officers.

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