A Lee County sheriff’s deputy is receiving praise after helping reunite a non-verbal teenager with his family in a gentle and compassionate way.
Deputy Humberto Labaut discovered a 13-year-old boy named Mike walking alone along State Road 82, according to a July 22 report from WFTX-TV. The boy, who was mostly non-verbal, was unable to explain where he lived or how he had gotten there.
With few clues to go on, Labaut used a notepad and pen to communicate with Mike, who was seen on body camera footage wearing a tank top and glasses. At one point, Labaut offered to hold the teen’s hand as they began looking for his family.
The video also captured Mike smiling and flashing a playful rock-and-roll hand gesture, seemingly feeling at ease in the deputy’s presence.
The search took several hours and involved both the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Myers Police Department. While officers were working to locate his home, Mike’s mother contacted authorities to report her son missing.
Soon after, the reunion was captured on camera: Mike ran from the back of a police car and into his mother’s arms in a moving moment of relief. Officials later determined he had wandered about two miles from home.
WFTX noted that programs like ReUnite—offered through United Way—are available to help families and caregivers of individuals who may be at risk of wandering. The initiative offers scent kits, trained search dogs, and other tools to aid in rapid recovery efforts, free of charge.
Deputy Labaut’s approach went beyond standard procedure. His thoughtful gestures helped turn a potentially traumatic experience into a moment of connection and comfort for the young boy.
Incidents like this highlight the quiet, everyday ways in which law enforcement officers can make a meaningful difference—not only through action, but through empathy.