Who rescued the autistic boy from the freezing pond?

A police officer from the Volusia Sheriff's Office rescued the boy.

When was the boy found in the pond?

The boy was rescued on Christmas night.

Why was the boy attracted to the pond?

The child, who has autism, is known to be attracted to water.

Home / Crime and Justice / Hero Cop Rescues Boy From Freezing Pond on Christmas

Hero Cop Rescues Boy From Freezing Pond on Christmas

28 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A nonverbal autistic boy was rescued from a freezing pond on Christmas night.
The child, known as Coco, was located by helicopter and found shivering.
This is the second time the boy has been rescued from a pond this year.

Hero Cop Rescues Boy From Freezing Pond on Christmas

On Christmas night, a remarkable rescue unfolded as a police officer saved a missing nonverbal autistic boy, identified as Coco, from a freezing pond. The child, who is known to be attracted to water, was located by the Air One helicopter after his parents reported him missing. Officers found him shivering in waist-deep, icy water.

This incident is a repeat of a similar rescue in August 2024, when deputies also saved Coco from a pond. Following the earlier event, Coco began swimming lessons, and his family was encouraged to use a specialized tracker for individuals with autism. The recent rescue saw Coco reunited with his tearful father in an emotional embrace.

The Volusia Sheriff's Office shared the gripping footage, drawing widespread praise online for the first responders' heroic actions. The community lauded the officers as heroes, expressing relief for the child's safety and celebrating the Christmas miracle.