Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office adds new K-9

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. —The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has a new electronic detection canine named "Hixie" who can detect small devices used by child predators.

Defenders for Children, an organization committed to prevent child abuse, trafficking and child pornography, recently announced donating the black lab to JCSO. Hixie will assist investigators in locating hidden electronics during searches missed by law enforcement due to the small size and high ability to hide the devices. He will assist in cases including sex trafficking, child pornography, online predators, child abuse, and other criminal activity. Hixie is the first electronic detection canine in the state. Deputy Megan Morgan spent time in Indiana training with Hixie to be his handler. “I just can't wait to get out there and stand up for these children and make a difference and hopefully save some of them, get them out of that environment and help them get on a road to recovery,” Morgan said. Hixie can detect small devices like SD cards and cameras. “Having somebody like Hixie on our team strengthens our case that we take to the DA or to the US Attorney General,” Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway said.

Watch the video here.