When word of a missing toddler made its way to the Louisville Metro Police Department, officers got to work. The little boy reportedly took off from his Kentucky home, and his family couldn’t find him. There’s nothing scarier than a missing child, and the younger they are, the more terrifying the situation becomes. Officers knew it was a race against the clock to find the little boy, and a break in the case came from the most unsuspecting source. A neighborhood dog approached the officers and led them to the missing child. Thankfully, he was alive and well.
The toddler’s family contacted police on January 7, 2026, to report their 3-year-old missing, according to WAVE. When officers arrived, they immediately began canvassing the area. Police searched on foot, using drones and the department’s Air Unit, to no avail. A neighbor told police a little boy rang their doorbell earlier in the day and shared Ring footage in hopes of helping find the child.
Officers Josh Thompson and Jonathan Story helped lead the search for the child. Thompson told the Courier Journal that the woman who shared the Ring footage believed the child had crossed the street. He added that the situation made him a bit nervous. “Anytime you have a kid that young, you’re fearful,” he said.
Police body cam footage captured the moment the dog approached police. Thompson said when it comes to dogs, he’s always cautious, but something told him to follow the animal’s lead.
He knocked on the door of the home the woman pointed to, and when no one answered, he looked to the dog. “Let’s go find this kid,” he said.
The dog immediately engaged and led police to the back of the house and a parked car. Thompson told the Courier Journal he knew the child was there.
“The next thing I know, I heard Officer Story yell, ‘He’s right here. I got him,’” Thompson said. He grabbed the little boy, who appeared terrified, and held him close until he reunited the child with his family.
The police department shared the amazing footage on Facebook, along with a thank you to everyone who helped search for the child.
“The young boy was found inside a vehicle, scared but unharmed, and was quickly reunited with his family — a moment of pure relief for everyone,” police wrote in the post. “Outstanding work by our officers, and a four‑legged friend who reminded us that heroes come in all forms.”
What an amazing story with a happy ending. Even though we may not speak the same language, animals are communicating with us all the time. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to listen.
