Family Dog Protects Missing 3-Year-Old During the 12 Hours She Was Gone
A missing 3-year-old girl in Missouri was found safely after her dog stayed by her side for the 12 hours she was missing.
Remy Elliot wandered out of her Qulin home into a nearby cornfield around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, police said. Authorities immediately began searching for the 3-year-old after her mom reported her missing.
People reported that a search team of around 100 people, including law enforcement and volunteers, and two helicopters searched for the 3-year-old, but it was Remy’s uncle, Quinlin, who found Remy sleeping next to the dog at 8:30 a.m. the next morning.
The family’s Yorkshire terrier, Fat Heath, was curled up with her on a patch of corn stalks, reports said.
“She was definitely exhausted, hot, really sweaty and it took a while to drink anything,” Timber Merritt, Remy’s mother, told KFVS. “She said she wasn’t scared because Fat Heath was there. If he wasn’t I think she would’ve been terrified.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol posted to their Twitter about the ordeal.
“This is what #Community looks like. Law enforcement, 1st Responders and community volunteers coming together to find a missing child. Her dog stayed by her side all night. #StrongerTogether.”
Other than several mosquito bites and slight dehydration, the 3-year-old was in good health.