PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WTXL) - A 5-year-old boy is safe after a Florida State University police officer rescued him from a locked car trunk.
According to the Florida State University Police Department, Officer Brian Eckel, who works at FSU's Panama City campus, responded to Palm Bay Prep Academy on Monday, April 9.
The academy is about 4 and a half miles from the FSU Panama City campus.
Before his arrival, the Panama City Police Department was responding to the call which involved a child being trapped in a locked vehicle trunk.
Pop-A-Lock was advising that it'd be 20 minutes before they could get out there, but Officer Eckel was equipped with an unlocking device so he responded to assist Panama City Police.
When he arrived he saw several officers and about 25 people around a white 2005 Chevy Impala. They were not having success in unlocking the vehicle.
Within about 30 seconds of him exiting his vehicle to grab the unlocking kit, officials say Officer Eckel unlocked the vehicle from the passenger side so the trunk could be opened.
The 5-year-old child was then helped out of the trunk by his mother.
Officer Eckel noticed the child's eyes were bloodshot and he was very sweaty, even for it being a cool day.
The boy was given water and monitored accordingly.
It is unclear how the boy ended up in the trunk or if any charges are being filed. WTXL ABC 27 has reached out to FSU PD for more details.
