Missing 15-Year-Old Found Safe with Police Helicopter Assistance

A 15-year-old girl, reported missing by her parents, was safely located with the help of the Gwinnett County Police Department’s Aviation Unit on May 29.

The incident unfolded around 11:40 a.m. when officers responded to a call from the parents reporting their daughter missing from their residence on Dunlin Way. According to the mother, an argument earlier that morning led to the disappearance. Complicating matters, the child had a medical condition requiring supervision when leaving home, and she was seen leaving without shoes on surveillance footage.

Upon receiving the call, the Gwinnett County Police Department’s Aviation Unit joined the search effort. Within minutes, officers in the helicopter spotted the missing child in a nearby neighborhood and relayed her location to officers on the ground. Corporal Hanna, following directions from the air unit, found the child standing on a sidewalk visibly upset and scared.

Utilizing training in crisis intervention, Corporal Hanna was able to calm the child and safely return her home to her parents. This successful resolution underscores the collaborative effort of various units within the Gwinnett County Police Department working together to ensure public safety.

Officers receive ongoing training to handle such situations with professionalism and compassion, as demonstrated in this case by Corporal Hanna’s actions.