Missing 2-year-old girl found safe after hours-long search overnight in Washington County

ALLENPORT, Pa. (KDKA) -- A missing 2-year-old girl was found after an hours-long search in Washington County overnight, first responders said.

The Stockdale Fire Department said it was one of several agencies called out shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday to help search for the girl who had gone missing from her home in Allenport. The parents were unsure how long she'd been gone so extra manpower was brought in to help with the massive search that ensued. 

Using K-9s, UTVs and thermal drones and cameras, first responders spread out. The fire department said the K-9 team got a scent and tracked it toward the river, so water rescue units were called in along with a helicopter. 

The search stretched several miles from Stockdale all the way to Elco and covered river banks, woods and every backyard in between.
Then, after roughly 3 1/2 hours, firefighter Brad Martin found her about a quarter mile from her home, sitting on a porch, unbeknownst to the homeowner. 

"She was just sitting right there on the chair and I said 'hey' and she 'hey,'" said Martin.

He said the girl was scared but happy to see someone. 

"As soon as I picked her up, I just started shaking with adrenaline," Martin said. 

The girl was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, the fire department said. 

"Thank you to all of our Mutual Aid departments as this was a true testament as to why we train and get specialized equipment to serve our communities," the department wrote on Facebook.