Hero says God showed him the way to missing girl, 11

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — James King said it was an act of God that led him to find Nadia Bloom in a thick swamp early today.

“God directed me to her,” King said hours after finding the 11-year-girl alive.

A day earlier, the 44-year-old University of Central Florida alum was part of a volunteer search crew that had been unable to find Nadia.

But at first light today, King, a military contractor, entered the woods armed with two cell phones, his shoes taped to his feet and some food and water to give Nadia if she was found. He prayed, quoted Scripture and looked to God to direct him to Nadia.

Then he called her name repeatedly as he ambled through the woods.

“I knew the Lord wanted me to go back in as soon as it was daylight,” King said. “I needed him to direct my path. I asked him, would he guide my path?”

The path led him to the middle of the swampy area between state roads 434 and 417 and the girl’s gated subdivision, Barrington Estates.

“I said, ‘Nadia!’ and she answered, ‘What?”’ said King, recalling a moment about 8:30 a.m.

The missing 11-year-old was sitting calmly on top of a log. She didn’t appear to be injured but was “polka-dotted” by bug bites, he said.

He scooped her up gingerly, praised God and then called 911 from the phone he knew was equipped with GPS.

King fed Nadia trail mix — she was disappointed it didn’t have M&Ms — and she munched on an apple as they waited for rescue crews to arrive. They talked and prayed while they waited, King said.

“She said she went on a nature walk and got lost,” King said. “She was sure someone was going to come and find her.”

At one point, he used toilet paper to line trees in a nearby clearing to help attract the attention of the sheriff’s helicopter. King said he took the toilet paper because the Lord directed him to do so and because it was biodegradable.

A small crowd cheered when Nadia, King and the rescue crews emerged from the woods shortly before noon.

King was quickly whisked away by law-enforcement officials, who debriefed and questioned him. Later, King said investigators acted professionally and that it was their job to check into things.

“The police need to make sure that she is found, but also under no circumstances that are dubious,” he said.

Investigators asked him how he got to the woods, how he found the child and how he knew where to look, King said.

Law-enforcement officers checked his car and looked into his background, he said. But they did not ask him for a DNA swab or to take a lie-detector test, King said.

Residents in the King’s old neighborhood praised their former neighbor.

“He’s a good, honest, Christian man,” friend Lewis Lineberger said. “He’s a believer in prayer. He really does believe in all of that.”

When asked about her husband’s heroic feat, Diana King said, “This is James King. He is who he is. He’s got great faith. He’s an instrument used by God.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

‘Courageous’ teen dives into Silver Lake to rescue 11-year-old

Gauge Bryant, 13, brought the child to the surface. The 11-year-old is in stable but critical condition, authorities said.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.