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Columbus police officers rescue 12-year-old with autism from pond

Posted at 11:27 AM, Apr 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-17 11:51:48-04

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Two officers with the Columbus Police Department rescued a 12-year-old with autism from a retention pond Sunday. 

Around 5:30 p.m., police were called to the intersection of 25th Street and Lockerbie Drive on reports of a child running near traffic. Police soon learned the child was autistic. 

Off-duty Columbus Police Captain Brian Wilder (right in above photo) responded to the call and saw the child. Shortly after, the child entered a nearby retention pond.

Wilder and Officer Tony Kummer (left in above photo) went into the water with floatation bags and brought the child out of the water, unharmed.

“CPD officers receive training each year on interacting with persons who are autistic” Columbus Lt. Matt Harris said. “The quick actions of our officers prevented what could have been a tragic situation."

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