Missing Florida Siblings Have Been Found in What Authorities Describe as ‘Christmas Miracle’

It’s a holiday miracle! A missing brother and sister were found in Florida and were safely home with their family for Christmas. 

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded after six-year-old Branxton and his 5-year-old sister Bri’ya were reported missing after playing outside in their front yard. 

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Missing Florida siblings were found safe after a massive search in what is being described as a “Christmas miracle.”

Authorities found the siblings after they had been missing for two days. According to PEOPLE, the children were discovered inside an abandoned and dilapidated shelter in a wooded area after a search team member heard a child’s voice. 

The children were unharmed and were “happy and talkative” when they were found. According to police, they quickly requested cheese pizza. 

The search teams reportedly searched more than 130 acres of land, 20 bodies of water, and 400 local houses. 

“It’s the outcome we hoped for,” said Sheriff Mike Williams. “At the end of the day, we work hard on each and every one of these cases and they all have a different outcome — that’s just the way it works sometimes — so I’m incredibly grateful that the outcome we got today is the one that we got.”

It isn’t clear how the children ended up in the swampy part of the woods or how long they were in the structure, but it is believed that they wandered off from home. 

“Overjoyed to hear that Braxton & Bri’ya have been found & are safe. This is a Christmas miracle,” wrote Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. “I’m thankful for the tireless efforts of first responders & compassionate members of our city. My prayers continue for this family & I’m so grateful for this positive outcome.”