The Daily Populous Thursday February 1st, 2024 night edition
Authored by news.yahoo.com and submitted by Sandstorm400

WIMAUMA, Fla. (KFOR/Storyful) – An 11-year-old girl, reported to be missing and endangered, is now safe after she was found by a sheriff’s K9 deputy in Wimauma, Florida. Her handler asked if the K9 could give the girl kisses as a reward to the K9 for locating the girl, and the heartwarming moment was captured on the deputy’s body camera.

Video at the top of this story shows the encounter, as Hillsborough County Sheriff’s K9 Deputy “Mary Lu” searched excitedly in the vicinity of a public bathroom at a local park at around 8 p.m. on January 26.

The Sheriff’s Office stated deputies tracked the child to a neighbor’s house, where they learned the residents had given her a ride to a nearby apartment complex, located near the park.

Mary Lu’s handler, Deputy Sarah Ernstes, is heard saying of the K9, “She does have ‘happy tail’ over here, at these bathrooms, which she only does when she’s close to somebody.”

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The video then shows Deputy Ernstes announcing her presence to the little girl on the other side of the locked bathroom door, asking her to come out.

“You’re not in trouble, we just need to talk to you, okay? Make sure you’re okay,” she said.

When the girl, who was unharmed, unlocked and exited the bathroom, Ernstes then asked if K9 Mary Lu, a bloodhound, could be rewarded for locating her by giving the girl “a kiss.”

The 11-year-old said yes, and another deputy is heard saying, “Look, she gave you a big, slobbery kiss!”

“Our team HCSO K9 Unit has once again proven its invaluable role in our community,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “With their exceptional skills, they successfully located and brought home a missing 11-year-old girl, reuniting her safely with her family.”

The Sheriff’s Office did not disclose further information concerning the girl’s case.

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