A former Marine from Florida, is being hailed “Man of the Year” after finding a missing toddler more than 24 hours after he disappeared. Roy Link joined a group of more than 500 volunteers looking for Joshua “JJ” Rowland, who escaped from his home in Brooksville, on the morning of February 23 while his parent was sleeping. More than 24 hours later, JJ was still missing, and things became dire.
According to a release from the Hernando County Sheriff’s office, JJ had been missing for approximately one hour when his parent discovered he was gone. He was wearing a grey Batman shirt and grey pants. Deputies described him as having blonde hair and pleaded with the community to help find the young child. Link saw the request for help and jumped in.
The family immediately spread the word on social media that JJ was missing.
Tonya Lindlbade, the boy's aunt, posted on Facebook that JJ was last seen at a home near Yontz Road and Cheever Road. She wrote, "He is the light of all our lives. Please pray if anything else he's 2."
Her post quickly gained traction on social media with more than 2,000 shares and sparked various Facebook groups, including "JJ (Joshua 2yo) Rowland ~ Vanished From Florida," dedicated to finding the missing toddler.
Link felt compelled to help find JJ.
Police searched the area with drones and helicopters and used canines to track the toddler’s scent, but they still needed the public's help, according to the sheriff's office.
Link came upon an open field and found himself deciding between two wooded areas on each side of him, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Link said his instinct told him to go to the left, and he soon heard whimpering that sounded like a young child. He found the boy about 100 feet away.
In a phone interview with the newspaper, Link said, "You know all that bad stuff starts going through your mind, but then finding him healthy and alive, it's just … wow."
Sheriff Al Nienhuis quickly named Link the 'Man of the Year.'
In a video posted to the sheriff's office's Facebook page shortly after the rescue, Nienhuis lauded Link for his support and courage in his search for JJ. The sheriff said he and Link became emotional because "Little JJ climbed onto him and didn't want to let go. He was so excited to see him."
Nienhuis recognized Link as a former Marine and said that among the hundreds of volunteers searching for the little boy, Link was the one who happened to be at the right place at the right time.
"It was a true miracle. For those of you who prayed for little JJ, that he would be found safe, your prayers were answered," Nienhuis said in the video.
"I just wanted to add I said a prayer about 10 minutes before I found him," Link remarked.
Volunteers came out in droves to help find JJ.
On behalf of the sheriff's office, Nienhuis thanked the community for their assistance in finding JJ. Not only did hundreds of volunteers search for the little boy, but also many brought donations of food and water for the volunteers.
"All of us are overwhelmed by the support we received from our own citizens, as well as those from other counties and states. THANK YOU!" a Facebook post reads.
The Brooksville community is thankful to the Hernando County sheriff's office for the dedication to finding JJ.
The community continues to celebrate JJ's rescue and wants to shower him with love. A local business, Lil Ants House of Bounce, offered to gift JJ a day of play with one of its units when he is feeling up to it.
Others thanked the sheriff's office for helping to find JJ.
"Great job y'all!!! So thankful for the wonderful outcome!!! What a blessing!! Continued prayers coming from Georgia.. May God bless you all …" One person commented.
A community member set up a GoFundMe page as a thank you to Link. It's already raised more than $1,700.
"I'm told Roy loves to fish and this money would be used to buy him new fishing gear or even to go on a chartered fishing trip. I set a goal of $500 but if we can exceed that would be amazing as well," the post reads. "We just want to give thanks for Roy volunteering his time and God using this man of faith to locate this precious boy."
