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Two 11-year-old children became separated from their mother while hiking in Hoosier National Forest in Indiana. They were safely found Sunday evening, thanks in large part to a K-9 with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said the incident began around 5:48 p.m. near Sundance Lake. A call was made reporting that the children had lost contact with their mother in the dense woods and were unable to find their way back.
Multiple agencies responded to the emergency, including the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Nashville Police Department, Harrison Township Fire Department, and Southern Brown Volunteer Fire Department. Crews immediately started searching the surrounding area but initially found no trace of the children.
Deputy Cody Loncaric soon arrived with his K-9 partner, Knox. The trained dog was quickly deployed to begin tracking. According to officials, Knox picked up a scent in a nearby field and began a focused search. The track stretched about 550 yards, guiding first responders toward the correct location.
Authorities explained that Knox’s work pointed searchers in the right direction and ultimately led them to the missing children. The pair was discovered deep in the forest, and responders were able to bring them safely back to their mother.
Officials did not provide details on how long the children were lost or what condition they were in when found. They did note, however, that the cooperation among multiple departments and the assistance of the K-9 team were critical to the outcome.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office commended the effort of everyone involved. “We are beyond thankful for the great teamwork put together by all involved,” the department said. K-9 officers play a vital role in helping law enforcement. Knox’s ability to follow the kids’ scent through thick woods provided the break rescuers needed after the initial sweep turned up nothing.
For families and responders alike, the safe return of the children brought relief after what could have ended in tragedy. Please scroll down and press play for more information on the story.