Moment cops find sobbing four-year-old lost in the woods 

This is the heart-warming moment a four-year-old boy lost in the woods is rescued by New Jersey State Police troopers. 

The frightened little boy, whose name was not disclosed, became lost after he wandered away from his home in Buena Vista Township, Atlantic City on Wednesday evening. 

Dramatic video shows the troopers running after the little boy – dressed in only a flannel shirt and shorts-  with his dog, a black Labrador Retriever, in the barren South Jersey woods nearly a half a mile from his home.  

In the bodycam footage the officers are seen running during the nail biting rescue as one officer yells out, ‘I got him… I got him.’ The officer is then heard summoning the youngster with a reassuring tone. ‘Hey buddy… I got you … you are okay.’ 

The boy overwhelmed and crying is heard wailing repeatedly, ‘I lost my shoe … I lost my shoe,’ as Trooper Ian Emmi swoops up the child and holds the boy in their arms before the youngster is taken over to his mother. 

An image of the woods located in Buena Vista Township, New Jersey where the boy wandered

The harrowing ordeal began when the boy and his dog lost their way. The boy’s mother said she could hear her son’s frantic cries but was unable to locate him for over an hour.

New Jersey State Trooper Ian Emmi and the boy’s mother followed the sounds of the little boy’s voice and was soon able to locate the boy, according to a statement form the New Jersey State Police. 

The scared youngster was shaken by the incident but was unharmed. 

Police did not reveal what prompted the boy to wander into the woods.  

The state police posted a video of the dramatic rescue that garnered thousands of views. They also issued a statement.

 ‘Last night, troopers from Buena Vista Station responded to the report of a missing child in Buena Vista Twp., Atlantic County.’

‘A 4-year-old boy and his black Labrador had wandered away from his house and were missing for more than an hour.’

‘While searching for the child, Trooper Ian Emmi and the child’s mother heard him off in the distance and ran to his location nearly a half mile from his house.’

‘We are thankful to report that due to the quick response of the troopers and his mother, the terrified child was safely located and in good health.’

The boy’s mother is seen holding her son tightly in her arms during the rescue 

The police statement that was posted by the New Jersey State Police after the rescue 

Many hailed the officers for their quick-action and the boy’s dog, who never left his best friend’s side.

‘Thank God! Thank you NJ State Police and the boys mother, excellent news that he was found with his protective dog,’ one person wrote. 

Another commented: ‘How grateful we are this ended well with the rescue of this poor lost boy. Great work by his Mom joined by the our NJSP! Well done, Troopers.’ 

‘Great job to all. Especially the dog, he would have never left that kid. May even have brought him home,’ someone quipped.