A missing toddler was miraculously found alive in the woods of Florida after a 24-hour intensive search.
A toddler named Joshua, nicknamed JJ, who is two years old and from Brooksville, Florida, was discovered in the forest by a retired marine who volunteered to help find him. JJ went missing on Thursday morning.
According to ABC, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, JJ was last seen playing with dogs in the yard at around 10 a.m. that day. It's believed that he left home while his parents were still asleep.
Missing toddler found alive in Florida woods
When JJ's mother woke up and realized he was missing, she said she had no idea what had happened to him. She searched for him for about an hour before contacting the authorities.
JJ was wearing a Batman t-shirt and gray pajama bottoms, and this information was included in the alert that was issued after he was reported missing.
JJ's name was included in a statewide alert for missing children that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued on Friday evening.
Law enforcement officials and volunteers from the community searched overnight, with over 500 volunteers turning out Friday morning to help in the search.
Nearly 100 law enforcement officials participated in the search, using various methods such as ATVs, horses, infrared cameras, and helicopters.
After spending the night alone, JJ was eventually found by Roy Link, a retired marine and one of the volunteers. Link said that JJ was so scared he wouldn't let him go.
Link shared with the group that he had been praying for approximately ten minutes before discovering JJ. The sheriff referred to Link as the "man of the year" and JJ's rescue as a "true miracle."
He also told reporters that he had been hoping and praying for a miracle and that so many other people were praying was a testament to the power of prayer.
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Collaboration of law enforcement and the community led to JJ's return
As per Fox News, the missing toddler who captured the attention of many was found safe by a volunteer, Roy Link, about half a mile north of his home in Brooksville, near Tampa.
The child was photographed barefoot and grazed but smiling in the arms of the volunteer who discovered him.
JJ's mother spent about an hour looking for him before alerting the authorities. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a statewide Missing Child Alert on Friday evening, and helicopters searched overnight.
JJ was found in the woods, quite far from home, and had spent the night in the elements.
Unfortunately, scattered across the young boy's body were scratches and what looked to be nettle stings, and his face was covered in what looked like mosquito bites.
According to the Daily Mail, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said at a news conference that JJ was doing well, considering the ordeal he had been through.
The father expressed gratitude to the community, law enforcement officials, and the people who volunteered their time to help find his little boy.
He said he and his wife were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and kindness from people they didn't even know. JJ's aunt also thanked everyone for their help and said that she couldn't put into words how thankful the family is to have their little toddler back safe and sound.
