Officers knew they had to act fast recently when a 2-year-old girl went missing one evening in South Bristol, New York. When children go missing at nighttime with dropping temperatures, the situation can be much more dangerous.

State troopers go looking for a missing girl.

Brian Hotchkiss is a New York state trooper and he knows just how dangerous it can be for missing children in cold temperatures.

“These missing kids, it can go really bad. It’s time-sensitive depending on the time of year, so although it was a nice day the temperature was dropping,” Brian said.

Hotchkiss and other officers went door to door in the neighborhood looking for the little girl. Not only could they not find her, but nobody in the neighborhood had any idea as to where she might be.

When night time fell, Hotchkiss made an important decision.

As nighttime fell, Hotchkiss knew there was one place the little girl could have run off to that they needed to check. There was a mountain located about half an hour from the child’s house, and if that’s where the little girl was, they needed to act fast.

The trooper needed about 30 minutes to get up the mountain. By the time he was at the top, he felt exhausted. At first, he couldn’t see any sign of the girl. All he could see were trees.

The trooper spotted something pink in the distance.

Then Hotchkiss noticed something in the distance. It looked like there was a small pink dot out there. The pink spot was sitting next to a rock by a stream so Hotchkiss followed the stream.

“I followed the stream and I located the child, she was lying on her stomach on a rock, and I ran over as quick as possible and I saw her arm move and I knew she was alive and my heart just dropped. I was so excited, I ran up and she hugged me immediately, she wouldn’t let go,” he said.

The little girl clung onto Hotchkiss and wouldn’t let go. She was clearly relieved to have been found.

What would have happened if the trooper didn’t search the mountain?

Things could have turned out much different for the little girl had the state trooper not decided to search the mountain. It’s one of those momentary decisions that can save a life.

By the time Hotchkiss reached the little girl, she was shivering. She was taken away via ambulance and driven to a hospital. Thankfully, medical staff there determined the little girl was okay and free to be taken home, however.

State trooper reflects on what happened.

The situation has had a big impact on Hotchkiss. He said he still visualizes that moment often.

“I still can’t get that out of my head, her turning over and looking at me and throwing her hands up in the air. I’ll never forget that,” he said.

"Trooper Rescues Missing Toddler from Mountaintop: ‘Something I’ll Never Forget’ "
Some heroes don't wear capes, but they do wear a badge, and rescue lost little girls. Outstanding job by NY State Trooper Brian Hotchkiss!
Watch the video at the top, too.https://t.co/hLka0c6dqo

— Gray Wolf (@graywolf442) April 22, 2021

The story has been picked up by various media outlets across the country. Those who have watched coverage of the story have felt compelled to leave comments about the state trooper’s heroic actions that day.

One person said: “Thank you very much for your service, sir, and be careful out there. We can’t afford to lose you.”

Another added: “Heartwarming situation…. Good Job Trooper!”

Learn more about this incredible rescue in the video below.

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Source: News 8 WROC/ABC7NYC