A Florida boy called 9-1-1 with an unusual request, and it led to a touching teaching moment from a deputy.
The warm moment was captured by a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy's body camera and a home doorbell camera. The sheriff's office recently released the footage.
The encounter began when a young boy called 9-1-1, saying he wanted to hug a police officer, CBS News reports. Deputy Scott Pracht responded to the call and spoke to the boy's mother, who informed Pracht that her son had a cellphone but that it was disconnected. A disconnected cellphone, however, can still contact 9-1-1.
The mother checked her son's call log and confirmed that he had called 9-1-1. She then asked her son why he made the call, and he explained it.
"You called him to give him a hug?" said his mom.
That's when the boy and Pracht shared a hug. And Pracht used the close moment to explain that 9-1-1 is only used for emergency calls.
"Only in emergencies," said Pracht. "And if you're hurt, or someone else is hurt, your mom needs help. You know, someone is doing something they're not supposed to do. Give us a call, OK?"
The boy apologized for the call, but Pracht assured him that it was all right.
"Our deputies are more than willing to share a hug and spread love to children in our community. … We are here to help, and we encourage parents and educators to teach children about the appropriate use of emergency services," said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a statement.
