Autistic 8-Year-Old Boy Goes Missing, Found by Water Thanks to Quick Response

Few things are as terrifying as a lost child, and one mother experienced that fear when her autistic son went missing on a cold Maryland evening. Fatmata Zine called 911 when her 8-year-old son wandered from their Upper Marlboro home around 11:00 p.m. on April 12th. Fatmata’s son, Nadeem Conde, is diagnosed with autism and is nonverbal, and the temperature that night was about 40 degrees.

When the Prince George County Police Department received the report, two Special Operations Division K9 officers responded. Corporals Mason and Carter began canvassing the area around the child’s home and requested help from the department’s Aviation Division.

Autistic Boy Goes Missing

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The police department dispatched their helicopter, called Guardian, and piloted by Mr. Corser, to search from the sky. On board Guardian, Tactical Flight Officer Corporal Elrod utilized infrared cameras to search for Nadeem. After scouring the area for several minutes, he spotted a person at the edge of the lake. Thankfully, it was Fatmata’s little boy.

Corporal Elrod, a father and grandfather, knew how relieved Nadeem’s mother would be once her child was found safe. He also knew that kids with autism are drawn to water. With that in mind, he checked the bodies of water in the area, including the lake where Nadeem had gone.

A Sense of Relief When the Boy Was Found

Providing directions to Corporal Mason on the ground, Corporal Elrod guided Corporal Mason to the boy. Corporal Mason ran quickly toward the water, concerned that Nadeem might go in.

Corporal Mason said at the press conference, “I was using my flashlight and he actually turned around. I was kinda relieved, but he kinda looked away a lil bit, so I just wanted to reach out and put my hand on him. I didn’t know if he was gonna go back in the water or not.”

Corporal Elrod shared, “When Mason sticks his hand out and he grabs the child’s hand, I was just like, a sense of relief just fell over me.” He told WTOP News, “My heart sank when I saw him in the water. I could tell that at some point he was deeper in the water, and I didn’t want him to go back out.”

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The Boy Was Found Cold and Wet

Nadeem was found cold and wet, but he was not hurt. When police got him home, he was checked by medical professionals and greeted by his very thankful family. Fatmata told reporters, “I was very terrified I was not gonna see my son again. I was crying and just praying. They did a very wonderful job, and in the end, I was very happy.”

“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.” Psalms 17:6

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h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/ABC 7 News - WJLA

Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at http://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.