First responders turned out en masse in DeKalb County, Ala., on Thursday night when a 3-year-old girl from Lebanon, Ala., was reported missing, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
The child was reported missing about 8 p.m. CDT and within 30 minutes responders from multiple agencies had begun a search. They included: Peaks Corner Fire Department, Collinsville Rescue Squad, Collinsville Fire Department, Geraldine Fire Department, Geraldine Rescue Squad, DeKalb County EMA, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Geraldine Police Department, Collinsville Police Department, Saint Clair County Correctional Facility K-9 Team, the SARTEK dog team, North Alabama Search Dog Association, Fort Payne Police Department, Alabama Game and Fish, State Probation and Parole Office, DeKalb Ambulance Service, DeKalb County Drug and Major Crimes Unit, state EMA, deputies and investigators.
Many private individuals joined in as well, and the Fort Payne Municipal Airport opened to refuel the helicopters, the release stated.
The girl was found unharmed about 7:30 a.m. today approximately 500-600 yards from her house. She was taken to DeKalb Regional Medical Center to be checked out.
Chief Deputy Michael Edmondson said in the release: “The amount of support that was received from all these agencies and citizens that came to assist in finding this little girl just goes to show what a great County that we live in. We are so thankful that she was found unharmed and okay. Thank you to all that assisted in this search.”