TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— A missing Tampa 11-year-old was found early Wednesday morning thanks to the help of a WFLA photojournalist.
An 11-year-old girl was reported missing on Tuesday after being last seen around 5:15 p.m., leaving westbound from the 4900 block of E Whiteway Drive.
The Tampa Police Department was searching for the missing girl throughout the night when a WFLA photojournalist, Malik Parler, spotted her walking along the sidewalk.
“I just wanted to make sure she made it home safely,” Parler said.
With his quick thinking and fatherly instincts, Parler safely identified the girl and followed her in his vehicle until she returned home.
“It’s kind of hard when you have kids. You see something like this. You are hoping that your kids come home safe,” Parler said.
According to officers, the girl has been reunited with her family.
“Thank you to our media partners for assisting in locating the missing juvenile,” TPD said.
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