K-9 Charlie Of Bel Air Barrack Helps Find Missing DC Girl: Police

BEL AIR, MD — A pair of Maryland officers helped find a missing 11-year-old girl this week in Washington, DC, according to Maryland State Police. K-9 Charlie, a bloodhound from the Bel Air Barrack, and his handler, Trooper First Class Bracken, tracked the missing child for nearly 3 miles, officials said.

The Metropolitan Police Department received a report of a missing person on Monday, Jan. 21.

An 11-year-old girl had disappeared around 11:45 a.m. that day in southeast DC, police said.

Temperatures in the single digits heightened concern about the girl's safety, as she was wearing pajamas when she was reported missing by her mother, according to officials.

K-9 Charlie and handler Trooper Bracken were "instrumental" in finding the child, according to a statement from Maryland State Police.

"K-9 Charlie, an MSP bloodhound, tracked the young girl's trail for almost three miles to a bus stop," Maryland State Police reported.

"Based on K-9 Charlie's findings, detectives from [the Metropolitan Police Department in DC] were then able to locate the girl, who was found unharmed," police said.

The Metropolitan Police Department reported the child was located around 9 p.m. on Monday.

When Maryland State Police shared the success story on its Facebook page, thousands of fans liked the post.

"Three Miles in METRO. Amazing bloodhound! Great work Trooper Bracken!" one person shared.

"What a team!" another said.

"Awesome job troopers," one fan added. "These dogs have such a gift for tracking...they are irreplaceable!"

Added another: "Dogs really are a man's best friend. Thank you, K-9 Charlie and TFC Bracken, for another job well done!"

Maryland State Police has had bloodhounds on the force since 1961. They help with missing persons, rescue missions, drug detection and apprehension of suspected criminals.

Bloodhounds have 40 times the olfactory receptors as humans, and their long ears help sweep scents from the ground into their nose, according to PBS, which reports they are so reliable that their trailing results can be admissible in court as evidence.

Photos of K-9 Charlie and Trooper First Class Bracken courtesy of Maryland State Police.