After finding a missing toddler more than 24 hours after he went missing, a former Marine from Florida is being called “Man of the Year.” Roy Link joined a group of more than 500 volunteers looking for Joshua “JJ” Rowland, who ran away from his Brooksville home while his parents were sleeping on the morning of February 23. After more than 24 hours, JJ was still gone, and things were getting worse.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s office said in a press release that JJ had been missing for about an hour when his parents found out. He had on grey pants and a grey Batman shirt. The deputies said he had blonde hair and asked people in the area to help find the young boy. Link heard the call and rushed to help.
The family told everyone on social media right away that JJ was missing.
Tonya Lindlbade, the boy’s aunt, wrote on Facebook that JJ was last seen at a house near Yontz Road and Cheever Road.
Her post quickly went viral on social media, with more than 2,000 people sharing it. This led to the creation of several Facebook groups, such as “JJ (Joshua 2yo) Rowland ~ Vanished From Florida,” whose goal is to find the missing toddler.
Link felt compelled to help find JJ.
Police searched the area with drones, helicopters, and dogs trained to follow the toddler’s scent, but the sheriff’s office says they still need help from the public.
A source said that Link found himself in an open field with two wooded areas on either side. He had to choose between the two. Link said that his gut told him to go to the left, and soon after, he heard what sounded like a small child whimpering. About 100 feet away, he found the boy.
Link said in an interview over the phone,
You know all that bad stuff starts going through your mind, but then finding him healthy and alive, it’s just … wow.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis quickly named Link the ‘Man of the Year.’
Nienhuis thanked Link for his help and bravery in looking for JJ in a video that was posted to the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page soon after JJ was found. The sheriff said that both he and Link got upset because “Little JJ climbed onto him and didn’t want to let go. He was so excited to see him.”
Nienhuis knew Link was a former Marine and said that out of all the volunteers looking for the boy, Link was the one who happened to be in the right place at the right time.
It was a true miracle. For those of you who prayed for little JJ, that he would be found safe, your prayers were answered,
Nienhuis said in the video.
I just wanted to add I said a prayer about 10 minutes before I found him,
Link remarked.
A lot of volunteers came out to help find JJ.
Nienhuis thanked the people in the community for helping the sheriff’s office find JJ. Not only did a lot of people help look for the boy, but many also brought food and water for the people who were helping.
All of us are overwhelmed by the support we received from our own citizens, as well as those from other counties and states. THANK YOU!
a Facebook post reads.
The people of Brooksville are glad that the Hernando County sheriff’s office worked so hard to find JJ.
The community is still happy that JJ was saved and wants to show him lots of love. Lil Ants House of Bounce, a local business, offered to give JJ a free day of play with one of its units whenever he felt like it.
Others were grateful that the sheriff’s office helped find JJ.
“Great job y’all!!! So thankful for the wonderful outcome!!! What a blessing!! Continued prayers coming from Georgia.. May God bless you all …
One person commented.
As a way to say thanks to Link, a member of the community set up a GoFundMe page. Already, more than $1,700 has been donated.
I’m told Roy loves to fish and this money would be used to buy him new fishing gear or even to go on a chartered fishing trip. I set a goal of $500 but if we can exceed that would be amazing as well,
the post reads.
We just want to give thanks for Roy volunteering his time and God using this man of faith to locate this precious boy.
