Hernando Reporter

Hernando County Sheriff's Office issued the following announcement on Sept. 14.

During the last 24 hours, The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit successfully located two individuals involved in two separate incidents in Hernando County.

On 09-12-2021 at 7:26 p.m., deputies responded to Maycrest Avenue in Weeki Wachee in reference to a missing juvenile.  The child had recently left her residence on foot.

The parents of the 16-year-old child indicated their daughter was mentally disabled and has the mental capacity of an 11 year old. 

Investigation revealed the child was upset about having to go back to school.

Upon being deployed, a deputy operating a drone was able to locate the child walking in proximity to her home. With the help of a K-9 unit, deputies were able to quickly locate and safely return the child to her parents. 

On 09-13-2021 at 1:18 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Mary’s Fish Camp, located in Weeki Wachee, in reference to a suspicious person in the area. 

Witnesses reported hearing a woman’s voice coming from a wooded area who was yelling for help. A deputy using a drone was able to locate the female subject running through the woods. 

Deputies were quickly able to locate and detain the woman.

Investigation revealed the woman ran into the woods because she was feeling stressed and wanted to vent her frustrations. The woman advised deputies she did not plan to harm herself. 

Not meeting the criteria for a Baker Act, the woman was transported back to her vehicle where she was then allowed to leave. 

The Office of Sheriff:

The Office of the Sheriff is established by the Florida Constitution. As a constitutional officer, the Sheriff has the exclusive authority to administer his or her agency and is responsible for preserving the peace throughout the entire county, carrying out the laws of the state, the orders of Florida courts, and the ordinances of the Board of County Commissioners. The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement and correctional officer of the county. 

Sheriff Al Nienhuis was initially appointed as the Sheriff of Hernando County by the Governor in January of 2011.  He was then elected by the people of Hernando County in 2012, ran unopposed in 2016, and was re-elected in 2020.  Sheriff Nienhuis remains accountable to the people of Hernando County.

Original source can be found here.