Brian, a state trooper, recalls reaching the mountain’s summit, feeling breathless, and being surrounded by green and brown trees. Suddenly, he spotted a distant pink dot. In South Bristol, New York, when a two-year-old girl went missing, the urgency to locate her heightened, especially during the night when the temperature dropped, making the situation more perilous.
Assigned to lead the search, Brian Hotchkiss, a New York State Trooper, understood the gravity of the circumstances. “It could get very bad with these missing kids,” Brian emphasized, considering factors like the season and the dropping temperature, even on a seemingly pleasant day.
Despite going door-to-door in the neighborhood, the search team couldn’t find any information about the little girl’s whereabouts. As darkness set in, Brian made the decision to climb the mountain, approximately half an hour away from the girl’s residence.
Reaching the mountaintop left Brian winded, surrounded by green and brown trees. In the distance, he spotted a small pink dot that remained stationary on a rock beside a stream. Brian’s heart sank, hoping the child was still alive.
Following the stream, Brian reached the child lying on her stomach on a rock. Overjoyed to see her arm move, he rushed to her. “I was so happy that I ran up to her and gave her a big hug, but she wouldn’t let go,” Brian recalled.
The little girl expressed her joy at being found by holding on to Brian tightly, seemingly aware of the gravity of the situation. Brian’s decision to climb the mountain played a crucial role in ensuring her safety.
Upon reaching the girl, who was shivering, another member of the search party wrapped her in his uniform to provide warmth. An ambulance transported her to the hospital for a thorough check-up, and once she received a clean bill of health, she was able to return home.
Reflecting on the events of that day, Brian couldn’t help but acknowledge the excitement and relief that came with finding the missing child.
The enduring image of the little girl turning over, looking at Brian, and joyfully raising her hands in the air left a lasting impression on him. Brian emphasized, “I’ll never forget that.”
People from across the United States learned about the successful rescue, and they expressed their gratitude for Brian’s quick thinking in the comments section on YouTube.
One person conveyed, “Thank you for your service, sir, and be careful out there. We can’t afford for you to leave.”
Another individual commented, “It’s heartwarming. Good job, Trooper!”
Brian’s actions have earned him recognition as a commendable member of the New York State Police. Witness his efforts in the video below!