Two full days and nights of searching proved increasingly frustrating until around 4 p.m. Wednesday, when search volunteer Donnie Halpin, walking along an all-terrain vehicle trail about three miles from the boy’s home, spied a couple of stray dogs sniffing at something.
Halpin, 57, told The Associated Press he looked on the ground of a hollow near a creek bottom and saw the boy lying there, facing the other way. Unsure of the boy was alive, Halpin said, “Hey, Bud.”
“He jumped right up and grinned at me,” Halpin said. “I said, ‘You ready to go home?’ He said, ‘Yeah.”’
(big smile)
Oh yay! I’m so happy for them!
Praise God!
“Dang it’s good to hear some good news for once .... “
BUMP!
My Brother-in-law had a 5-year-old son. Very rambunctious. The kid disappearred. There was a lot of concern. Hours later the child was found, unharmed (thank God) one town over. The 5-year-old was on his bike, running away from home. He had covered a significant amount of ground, and had no idea where he was, but he had enough sense to stop a cop and ask for directions.
So, anyway, the kid is now 11 years old. My Brother-in-law is teaching him how to drive a car -- with the expectation (of course!) that the kid will sit on this knowledge for the next 5 years without ever trying to put it into practice.
Uh-huh.
Yes. Good news.
“...spied a couple of stray dogs sniffing at something.”
So what happened to these little stray dogs? I am more worried them now. These little guys were the real heroes and no one else.
Thanks for the heart warming story!
ping
wonder what breed of dogs...
OTOH, I am wondering WHY Bloodhounds couldn't track the little boy? OR if they were even used?
sw
My parents lost my brother a few times on the farm.....He was always “exploring” the farm with his cat and his wheelbarrow......I think no matter what parents do kids curiosity gets the best of them and off they go.....
bump
Praise God! Those poor parents must have been frantic.
By the time Halpin found him, Joshua was wearing only the shirt and one tennis shoe. He was also wet.
Halpin said he didn't have any water but gave the child some candy, called 911 to let authorities know he had the boy, then took off his own shirt and wrapped the child in it and carried him about a half-mile to a house. A woman at the house fed Joshua, gave him milk and cleaned him up.
Joshua didn't say much except that he was thirsty, Halpin said. But after two nights in the wet, chilly woods with little to wear, Halpin said the boy wasn't crying or complaining.
"He hung on to me pretty tight," Halpin said. "Outside of a few scratches, he was in really good shape."
That’s one tough little kid!
Possible career paths include the Navy SEALS or Army Special Forces.
I am very happy for the parents and the three year old’s brother. Nice ending folks...
Separation anxiety is one children’s biggest fears. I am always amazed when I see a child that doesn’t have that type of inclination.
Might I suggest childproof door locks...
What a great ending.