Missing 11-year-old located in central Florida after days of searching alligator-filled swamp

Missing 11-year-old girl found in central Fla.

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — A missing 11-year-old central Florida girl with Asperger syndrome was found alive on Tuesday, four days after she disappeared into an alligator-infested swamp a half-mile from her suburban home.

Nadia Bloom was taken to a hospital in nearby Longwood, Fla., where she will be evaluated and treated for dehydration and insect bites, said Winter Springs Police Chief Kevin Brunelle.

“If I never believed in miracles, I sure do now,” Brunelle said during an afternoon news conference.

Later in the afternoon, the medical director at South Seminole Hospital in Longwood spoke to reporters.

“She’s smiling. Her vital (signs) are stable. She has some abrasions and bites. She is dehydrated and receiving (intravenous) fluids and wound care,” said Dr. Rakish Parekh. “She is doing remarkably well.”

By 8 p.m., Geo Morales, a spokesman from the hospital, said that Nadia’s family “requested privacy” and said he could not release any information about her, including whether she was still being treated.

Nadia’s discovery was a welcome — and rare — event in a state that has been plagued with missing children.

Brunelle said Nadia told rescuers two things: “I’m glad you guys found me” and “I can’t believe you guys rescued me.”

Her sister has said Bloom, who has an autism-related disorder called Asperger syndrome, may have gone into the dense woods hoping to make a nature video.

It took nearly two hours for rescuers to carry Nadia out of the thick brush and swamp. It wasn’t police who located her. James King, who goes to church with Nadia’s family, found her Tuesday morning in a dry patch in the middle of the swamp and called authorities.

King climbed a tree and unfurled toilet paper in an attempt to draw attention to where they were.

Brunelle said he dispatched a helicopter to look for King and Nadia, but it didn’t work.

Using cell phone signals, authorities found them

“Mr. King is a hero right now,” said Brunelle. “He led us to her.”

Brunelle added that detectives are questioning both King and Nadia for more details on the rescue and how the girl spent her time while she was missing.

Brunelle did say that Nadia told them that she had not talked to anyone since going into the woods on Friday.

Authorities began searching for her in wooded areas near Lake Jesup, one of the most alligator-filled lakes in Central Florida. The fifth-grader was last seen riding her bike on Friday, and authorities became alarmed when they found her bike and helmet. She did have a backpack with her.

Shortly after word came that Nadia was alive, her father briefly spoke to the media.

“It all came so fast and it just shows the compassion of the human spirit. It should give everybody encouragement,” her father, Jeff Bloom, told reporters after rescue crews lifted her into an ambulance.

When asked how he felt, Bloom said: “I can’t even describe it. Let’s give the glory to God.”

Associated Press reporter Tamara Lush reported from Tampa, Fla.