GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County police officers safely located and rescued a missing 5-year-old boy with autism after an extensive search at Peachtree Ridge Park, authorities said.

Officers from the Central Precinct responded Nov. 15 after the child wandered away from a playground. About 40 minutes into the search, Officer Hugley noticed a fence near a retention pond had been pulled up. Acting on instinct, he went under the fence and checked a nearby sewer drain, where he called out and heard a response.

Officer Nunez arrived and crawled into the sewer, locating the child several hundred feet inside the drain. Lt. Huggins coordinated the rescue by identifying the nearest access point and directing officers to the correct location. The child was removed safely and was not injured.

During the response, officers referenced Project Lifesaver, a national electronic tracking program designed to help locate individuals with cognitive disorders who may wander and become endangered.

Source: Gwinnett County Police Department