If you have kids, babysit or look after children, you understand the importance of attentiveness. Kids tend to get into things or put themselves in the way of potential harm. Therefore the task of observing and protecting them is significant.
Regardless of who is caring for a child, the slightest inattention can be disastrous. Even when our efforts are earnest, all it takes is one misstep to cause an accident.
In Ponce de Leon, Florida, a frightened family and neighbors hope to see three-year-old Marshal Butler again soon. Marshal, who is autistic and unable to communicate, is missing from his home.
Image: (Walton County Sheriff, Michael A. Adkinson, Jr./boredpanda)
Marshal’s aunt, Kayla Stewart, is on edge as she fights to rule out terrifying possibilities. No one in the family is aware of how or when the boy disappears without a trace in the morning. After he somehow wanders off in his diaper, the family’s only hope is their two dogs, Buckwheat and Nala, who are missing as well.
Walton County and Holmes County law enforcement both begin a search. Also, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission aid the family and neighbors in a joint effort to find the child.
As neighbors set out to look for Marshal, the sheriff’s department puts an alert on Facebook. Public Information Officer Corey Dobridnia says the goal is to have as many people assisting as possible, as missing child cases are urgent.
The fact that Marshal is autistic and cannot seek help himself creates a dire situation. For the family, every minute counts. But there are no leads from the Facebook post and nothing otherwise to indicate the boy’s whereabouts.
In the Care of Angels
Thankfully, after several hours, neighbor Carol Shelton finds Marshal roughly a mile away near a river. He sustains no injuries, and lo and behold, dogs Buckwheat and Nala are right by his side.
Image: (Walton County Sheriff, Michael A. Adkinson, Jr./boredpanda)
According to one neighbor, it appears the dogs are guiding Marshal and protecting him. Officer Dobridnia adds that the dogs probably know to look after Marshal because he’s alone. When a police captain brings Marshal back to his mother, she agrees.
As she says, the dogs are just doing their jobs in looking after him. Marshal safely reunites with family, and all he has to show for it is a little dirt from playing outside. The news offers great relief, as things could have gone far worse.
It looks like Marshal has some darn good guardians in Buckwheat and Nala. As long as those two are with him, he’s in good hands. We’re glad Marshal, his dogs, and family are all ok now.
Image: (WJHG/WECP)
Video credits to Zooland via Youtube
Credits to WJHG/WECP and bored panda