City of Cortland Police Department K-9 finds missing child

CORTLAND, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Worry and panic spread among students and staff at the Smith School in Cortland on Monday morning, April 15, after a child went missing.

Luckily, thanks to the help of a K-9 Unity from the City of Cortland Police Department, the nerve-wracking moment was cut short as the child was found in just 30 minutes.

Officer Drake and K-9 Kort responded around 10:50 a.m. to the report that stated a five-year-old student had walked away from the playground heading south, 15 minutes before the call.

Officers set up a perimeter and requested assistance from the county and NYSP. City police utilized the department’s Drone operator and Homer Police Department sent theirs as well.

At about 11:03 a.m. a hyper-reach message was sent to residents in the surrounding area, and two minutes later, Officer Drake and K-9 Kort started a search from the student’s last known location on the sidewalk on the southwest corner of Smith School.

Sergeant Natoli aided in the K-9 search as K-9 Kort led Drake and Natoli to the driveway of 35 Wheeler Avenue where an RV Camper was parked in the driveway.

The student was located in the RV at 11:20 a.m. and reunited with school staff and a parent.

“Great work to all involved!” stated the police department on Facebook.