RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — A police officer in Rantoul is being applauded for his role in helping a little girl find her way home.

On Thursday, the Rantoul Police Department received a report about a young child, aged 4-5, walking alone on Maplewood Drive. Officer Edgar Garcia was sent to investigate and found the caller with the child. He located the child’s home a block away and escorted her back.

Garcia said the parents didn’t even notice the child quietly sneaking out and going for a walk.

He credits going into “dad-mode” for his response and is just glad he helped reunite her with her family.

“It felt great just because I get concerned about my children,” Garcia said. “So, just to think what that parent was thinking about when they didn’t… they’re calling their child and they’re not responding. You know, you go into freak out mode. So being able to bring that child home, it gave me a sense of relief to know that she was able to be home and there were no incidents following that.”

Garcia has also been the school resource officer at Rantoul High School for the last two years.