17-year-old rescues autistic sister from Port Richey lake

Teen rescues autistic sibling from Port Richey lake

A 17-year-old Pasco County teen is being credited for saving his 5-year-old sister's life. (Courtesy: Pasco County Sheriff's Office)

PORT RICHEY, Fla. - A 17-year-old Pasco County teen is being credited for saving his 5-year-old sister's life.

On Monday at about 3:30 p.m., the Pasco County Sheriff's Office got a call regarding a missing autistic, nonverbal child in the area of Lake Lisa Park in Port Richey.

When deputies arrived on scene, witnesses told them the child was in the nearby lake.

Courtesy: Pasco County Sheriff's Office

Deputies rans to the lake and found that the child's 17-year-old brother had already entered the water and had the child in a safe location on a branch while the brother was in the water. 

Deputies assisted with recovering both the child and her brother from the water safely. 

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The Pasco Sheriff's Office commends the 17-year-old brother for his courageous actions.

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