- April 24, 2024
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Sheriff's Office deputies on Jan. 4 rescued a teenage girl who was standing outside the Palm Coast Parkway overpass over Interstate 95 and threatening to jump.
The same girl has tried to jump from the same site twice last summer, requiring deputies' rescue on those occasions was well.
When deputies arrived to the scene on Jan. 4, they saw the teen standing on the outer ledge of the bridge, outside of the metal barrier.
Deputies shut down Palm Coast Parkway and I-95 in both directions as multiple agencies responded, including the FCSO Crisis Negotiations Team and Palm Coast Fire Department.
Due to previous engagements with law enforcement, deputies were aware that the teen doesn’t like males. They formed a female negotiation team to help rescue her.
The responding deputies were able to communicate with the teen and develop a rapport, and held her hands as she made her way safely back to the ground.
“This is another outstanding rescue by all involved,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “The quick response and combined efforts of FCSO deputies, Crisis Negotiations, Communications Center, Fire Rescue, and the deputies holding the juvenile’s hand saved her life again. Their training in de-escalation techniques and being able to talk to someone who’s threatening to take their life is remarkable. I commend everyone who stepped up for this child’s life for the third time in six months. This child continues to need significant help, and I am once again asking the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and her parents to get this juvenile the help she needs before it is too late. We have also asked the Florida Department of Transportation to assess how they can secure the bridge to prevent acts like this, but so far have not had any action.”
The juvenile was placed under a Baker Act and taken to Halifax for further medical evaluations.
