A missing 11-year-old girl with an autism-related disorder was found alive yesterday, four days after she disappeared into an alligator-infested swamp in Florida.
Nadia Bloom, who has Asperger syndrome, went missing last Friday in wooded areas near Lake Jesup, one of the most alligator-filled lakes in central Florida. She was last seen riding her bike and authorities became alarmed when they found it and her helmet in her neighbourhood.
However yesterday she was discovered by a member of her family’s church in thick brush and swamp in what has been described as a “miracle”.
t took nearly two hours for rescuers to carry the 11-year-old out of the swamp, located about half a mile (800m) from her home. James King, who goes to church with Nadia’s family and was helping in the search, found her in a dry patch in the middle of the swamp and called police. He started walking at daylight and found her several hours later, he said.
“The Lord told me where to find her,” Mr King said.
After finding Nadia Mr King rang emergency operators and put the girl on the phone. “Hi,” she said. “This is Nadia and I’m the girl that got lost.”
She later added: “I’m glad you guys found me … I can’t believe you guys rescued me”.
Nadia was given a nutritional shake, an apple and some water and taken to a nearby hospital where she was evaluated and treated for dehydration and insect bites, but was in good spirits and doing “remarkably well”.
Winter Springs Police Chief Kevin Brunelle said: “If I never believed in miracles, I sure do now”.
“Children can be very resilient,” he said. “Especially Nadia. She’s a driven young lady, and she surprised a lot of people today.”
Chief Brunelle described Mr King as “a hero right now … He led us to her.”
Nadia’s discovery was a welcome — and rare — event in a state that has been plagued with missing children.
Her sister suggested that Nadia may have gone into the dense woods around their Winter Springs home hoping to make a nature video.
Detectives were yesterday questioning both Mr King and Nadia for more details about the rescue and how the girl spent her time while she was missing.
Nadia told police that she had not talked to anyone since going into the woods on Friday.
After being reunited with his daughter, Nadia’s father Jeff Bloom said: “It all came so fast and it just shows the compassion of the human spirit. It should give everybody encouragement.”
When asked how he felt, Mr Bloom said: “I can’t even describe it. Let’s give the glory to God.”
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