WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) - A missing 11-year-old central Florida girl with Asperger syndrome was found alive on Tuesday, four days after she disappeared into an alligator-infested swamp a half-mile from her suburban home.
Nadia Bloom was taken to a hospital in nearby Longwood, Fla., where she will be evaluated and treated for dehydration and insect bites, said Winter Springs Police Chief Kevin Brunelle.
"If I never believed in miracles, I sure do now," Brunelle said during an afternoon news conference.
Later in the afternoon, the medical director at South Seminole Hospital in Longwood spoke to reporters.
"She's smiling. Her vital (signs) are stable. She has some abrasions and bites. She is dehydrated and receiving (intravenous) fluids and wound care," said Dr. Rakish Parekh.
James King, who goes to church with Nadia's family, found her Tuesday in a dry patch in the middle of the swamp and called authorities.
King climbed a tree and unfurled toilet paper in an attempt to draw attention to where they were.
Brunelle said he dispatched a helicopter to look for King and Nadia, but it didn't work. Using cell phone signals, authorities found them
"Mr. King is a hero right now," said Brunelle. "He led us to her."
Brunelle added that detectives are questioning both King and Nadia for more details on the rescue and how the girl spent her time while she was missing.
Brunelle did say that Nadia told them that she had not talked to anyone since going into the woods on Friday.
Authorities began searching for her in wooded areas near Lake Jesup, one of the most alligator-filled lakes in Central Florida. The fifth-grader was last seen riding her bike on Friday, and authorities became alarmed when they found her bike and helmet. She did have a backpack with her.
Shortly after word came that Nadia was alive, her father briefly spoke to the media.
"It all came so fast and it just shows the compassion of the human spirit. It should give everybody encouragement," her father, Jeff Bloom, told reporters after rescue crews lifted her into an ambulance.
When asked how he felt, Bloom said: "I can't even describe it. Let's give the glory to God."
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Associated Press reporter Tamara Lush reported from Tampa, Fla.