Cops Help Find Lost Teddy Bear After Boy With Autism Frantically Calls 911

Mar 22, 2019 by apost team

Police officers are here to help our communities. Whether you have a medical emergency, a kitchen fire, or a kitty stuck in a tree, you can always count on your local police department to help you when you are in need. Recently, one police department in New Jersey got an unusual call and officers nevertheless sprang to assistance.

Early last week, dispatchers with Woodbridge Township Police Department in Middlesex County, New Jersey received a frantic call from 12-year-old Ryan Paul. Ryan, who has autism, called the police because he wanted help finding his missing teddy bear.

Hanging up before police could respond to his request, dispatchers sent out a police officer to assess the situation, as is department policy in Woodbridge Township.

The call went out to Officer Khari Manzini, who has specialized training in helping individuals with autism. Officer Manzini received his training from POAC Autism Services, a nonprofit group that helps law enforcement professionals, teachers, and legislators understand the special needs of people with autism.

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When Officer Manzini knocked on the family’s door, Ryan’s father, Bob, was initially shocked that his son had called the police over something as mundane as a missing teddy bear. Questioning his son, Ryan responded that he needed help rescuing his teddy bear.

Officer Manzini was more than willing to help Ryan, eventually finding that the missing stuffed animal had slid between the young man’s wall and bed.

Officer Manzini’s patient response has made national headlines. Speaking with reporters, Bob said that the officer’s response was exceptional, praising him for his compassion and understanding. Officer Manzini added that he was happy to help Ryan and his father find the missing toy.

"Whenever we can use that training to make sure that not only do we keep ourselves safe, but those folks that we’re helping out safe, you know it makes a great difference," Manzini said in the video.

Elaborating, Officer Manzini spoke on the benefits of his specialized training, saying that it helps keep law enforcement personnel safe and members of the community safe. Despite the positive outcome and the story going viral, Bob later sat down with Ryan and explained that he shouldn’t call 911 over a missing stuffed animal.

What do you think of the way Officer Manzini handled Ryan’s call for help? Has a police officer or other municipal official ever gone the extra mile for you to help in a difficult situation? Let us know in the comments and pass this along to your friends and family to brighten their days!