When New York State Trooper Brian Hotchkiss heard that he would be working a missing child’s case, he immediately prepared for the worse. As a veteran law enforcement officer as well as being a State Trooper for six years, he had seen too many cases such as these end badly.

“I’ve seen these things go bad,” Hotchkiss said to MPN NOW. On Saturday, March 27th, the department received a missing child report, and Hotchkiss and another Trooper headed to South Bristol where the child was reported missing.

“These missing kids, it can go really bad. It’s time sensitive depending on the time of year, so although it was a nice day the temperature was dropping,” Hotchkiss said to the outlet.

The Troopers began canvassing the neighborhood, but as daylight began to wane they knew their time was running out for finding the child in good condition.

About half a mile from the child’s home lies a mountain, which Hotchkiss and two other Troopers immediately began to scale, desperate to catch a glimpse of the 2-year-old in a white skirt and pink top.

“I consider myself an in-shape guy and I was winded climbing up this thing,” he said.

“But I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t check so I kept climbing and climbing. After about 45 minutes into my climb I looked up to the summit of the mountain and all I could see was brown and gray trees, dirt. And within the tree line of the summit in the middle of the stream I saw a pink dot.”

Uncertain as to weather the pink dot was the girl or a piece of trash, Hotchkiss had to scale the mountain for another 15 minutes before reaching the location. When he arrived, he discovered the child lying still.

“She was laying on her stomach on a rock,” Hotchkiss said. “I ran over to her as quick as possible and was calling her name. I  saw her arm move and I knew she was alive. My heart just dropped, I was so excited. I ran up and she hugged me immediately and she wouldn’t let go.”

Hotchkiss immediately radioed the search party and alerted them that he had found the toddler. Trooper Jason Stirk had joined Hotchkiss and wrapped the girl in his uniform, while Hotchkiss carried the crying, shivering toddler down the mountain.

After an emotional reunion with her family, the child was transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital for evaluation, where she was deemed in good health.

“I still can’t get that out of my head, her turning over and looking at me and throwing her hands up in the air. I’ll never forget that,” Hotchkiss said.