Deputy jumps into deep water to rescue nonverbal 8-year-old

LAFAYETTE PARISH, La. (Gray News) - A sheriff’s deputy is being credited with rescuing a nonverbal child who had wandered into a Louisiana pond.Body-camera video of the rescue was shared on social media.On the evening of Sept. 6, Lafayette Parish sheriff’s deputies responded to the 200 block of Blushing Groom Drive in unincorporated Carencro after an 8-year-old non-speaking child with autism had been reported missing. While en route, deputies were told the child had been found but was seen entering a nearby pond.When deputies arrived, bystanders were gathered around the bank as the child went underwater.Recognizing immediate danger to the child, Cpl. Jared Havard entered the neck-deep water while wearing full duty attire. Havard reached the child and brought her safely to the bank, where she was reunited with her family.