safety
Murfreesboro officer buys nonverbal child with autism toys before returning him to family after he ran away, police say
By Caleb Wethington at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 7, 2026
· 2 min read
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Murfreesboro Police Department is sharing a story of an officer’s work to safely help a nonverbal child with autism who ran away from family recently and made his way to the Target toy section.In early May, officers responded to the Target on Old Fort Parkway afte...
Key takeaway In early May, officers responded to the Target on Old Fort Parkway after a woman reported seeing a child running across the street through the parking lot toward Target.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The actions of Sgt. Travis Henderson in safely returning a nonverbal child with autism to his family highlight the value of Crisis Intervention Training for local law enforcement. This training, which focuses on de-escalation techniques and understanding of mental health conditions, including autism, is crucial in situations like the one that unfolded at the Target on Old Fort Parkway. By treating the situation calmly and showing genuine compassion, Sgt. Henderson was able to connect with the boy and help him feel at ease, ultimately leading to a positive outcome. The fact that Sgt. Henderson took the time to purchase toys for the boy before reuniting him with his mother demonstrates a level of empathy and understanding that is essential for building trust between law enforcement and the community, particularly among families with children with special needs. This incident showcases the importance of continued investment in Crisis Intervention Training for Nashville -area law enforcement.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Murfreesboro Police Department is sharing a story of an officer’s work to safely help a nonverbal child with autism who ran away from family recently and made his way to the Target toy section.In early May, officers responded to the Target on Old Fort Parkway afte...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Caleb Wethington at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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