A bystander's call about a small child partially hanging out of an apartment window led Fairfax County police to deploy a drone. The county's Real Time Crime Center then located and rescued the child.
Officers responded to the 3000 block of South Manchester Street on Friday at 3:17 p.m. after someone spotted the child dangling from the window, according to an FCPD email statement. Using a drone and technological support from the Real Time Crime Center, officers identified the specific apartment, gained entry and pulled the child to safety.
The child was not injured.
Once inside, officers found three other children under 18 in the apartment. No adults were present. FCPD's Child Abuse Unit responded to the scene and is investigating, police said in the statement.
No arrests or charges had been announced as of Friday evening. The ages of the children were not disclosed. Police declined to comment beyond the written statement, citing the ongoing investigation.
County's drone program launched new AI integration days earlier
The rescue came two days after Fairfax County formally launched a new AI system on Wednesday that integrates with the Real Time Crime Center to analyze 911 calls in real time and trigger faster drone deployment. The system, built on Axon's Prepared platform, continuously transcribes 911 calls and alerts Real Time Crime Center personnel when it identifies qualifying incidents.
Police Chief Kevin Davis said the technology "allows us to deploy resources faster, improve situational awareness, and provide responders with the information they need to make better decisions."
Location and how to report information
The 3000 block of South Manchester Street sits in the Mason District, about four miles south of Tysons. The Child Abuse Unit investigation remains open. Residents who have information about the incident can contact Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
