In a remarkable rescue in Shreveport, Louisiana, a 10-year-old girl, Payton Satan, was safely located after disappearing into the woods near her home while sleepwalking. The young girl vanished around 10 p.m. on Saturday and was missing for a full 24 hours. Concerned family members and neighbors immediately began searching for her, but it was the innovative use of thermal drone technology that ultimately led to her discovery.

Josh Clober, a drone operator from Arkansas, heard about the extensive search efforts and quickly joined the mission with his drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera. Setting up a command station complete with a generator and a large flat-screen TV, Clober managed to locate Payton within just 20 minutes. The thermal camera picked up the heat signature of Payton, who was found curled up on the ground, missing a shoe, and still clad in her purple and white pajamas, just a mile and a half from her home in the woods.

The critical moment came when the little girl was awakened by her best friend’s father, who was among the hundreds of volunteers aiding in the search. Despite being out in the wild overnight, Payton was found in good health, suffering only from a few mosquito bites. Her family revealed that although she had a history of sleepwalking, she had never before left the house during an episode.

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The local sheriff described Payton’s safe return as a miracle, emphasizing the immense relief felt by her family. She was hungry but unharmed, much to the joy of her parents and the local community who had come together in her time of need. This incident highlights not only the dangers of sleepwalking but also the powerful impact of community and technology in emergency responses.