Police officer helps boy with autism find lost teddy bear after 911 call
By Ashleigh Jackson,
(Meredith) – A 12-year-old boy was reunited with his lost teddy bear after a New Jersey police officer helped him find the beloved toy.
Ryan Paul, who has autism, called 911 last Wednesday when he needed help finding his small stuffed animal named Freddy, WPIX reported.
“My teddy bear fell down again. Don’t worry I’ll rescue you again. Goodbye again. See you again!” Ryan is heard telling a dispatcher before hanging up.
His father, Robert Paul, told the New York Daily News that he was initially shocked to learn his son had called the emergency line.
“I said ‘Ryan, did you call 911?’ and he said ‘Yes,’” the dad said. “I said ‘Why?’ He said ‘Teddy bear rescue.’”
Woodbridge Police Officer Khari Manzini located the stuffed animal a short time after arriving to the home.
“We found the teddy bear, the teddy bear was OK,” Manzini said. “He was in safe hands, no injuries, nothing like that.”
“Whenever we could use that training to make sure to not only keep ourselves safe but those folks that we’re helping safe, you know it makes a great difference,” he told the station.
Ryan’s father applauded the officer for his kindness, and said he’s proud to have “such a fine and caring police department.”
“You know he couldn’t have been more accommodating and understanding. It was really great,” he said.
