A rookie K-9 officer flipped the script: Instead of tracking down someone, he helped a lost North Carolina child find his way home.
It all unfolded on the first weekend of July in Union County, turning what could have been a tragic situation into a heartwarming success story. A concerned citizen noticed a young child wandering alone down the street and immediately called 911, knowing something wasn’t right.
When officers arrived on the scene, they faced a troubling challenge. The young boy was nonverbal, unable to communicate where he had come from or how he had gotten so far from home. Despite their best efforts, officers couldn’t figure out where the lost North Carolina child lived or how to get him back safely. That’s when they decided to bring in their newest K-9 team member—Remi.
“They normally train them to start where the person was last seen and to go find that person. However, in this case, we’re doing it in reverse order. So the dog is simply using that scent article, in this case, the child’s smell from his arms and back of his neck to track backwards to find that same smell inside of a home,” Union County Sheriff Public Information Officer Lieutenant James Maye said.
This reverse tracking method isn’t something most K-9 units get to practice often, but Remi took on the challenge without hesitation. His handler, Deputy B. Belk, watched with pride as Remi sniffed the child, picked up his scent, and got to work. The bond between Belk and Remi had been growing since Remi was just eight weeks old, and this moment was a testament to the strength of their training and partnership.
Deputy Belk wasn’t surprised at all by how quickly Remi worked. In fact, within minutes, Remi confidently led officers down streets and through neighborhoods, following the unique scent trail that would bring the child home.
Remi’s determination paid off. The trail led directly to the child’s house, where relieved parents were anxiously waiting. Thanks to the quick-thinking officers and Remi’s keen nose, the child and his family were safely reunited. Authorities confirmed that the parents would not face any criminal charges in the case, understanding that sometimes accidents happen despite a parent’s best efforts.
“It’s just Union County, it’s just good people all the way around. We’ve got great people that called us for help,” Maye said. “We got great law enforcement officers that responded and ultimately, you know, the child is safe with his parents now and so we’re happy for this outcome.”
This heartwarming story of a lost North Carolina child finding his way back home reminds us all of the incredible work law enforcement and their K-9 partners do every day. It’s also a testament to the kindness of strangers, the dedication of officers, and the incredible bond between a handler and his dog—working together to bring families back together when it matters most.
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