If elephants reach a point where they can't help themselves, something must be really wrong. In this story, a little calf was in dire trouble and non of the elephants could help. So they did something they would never have done under normal circumstances.
In India, there are rural places where wild elephants roam freely. Locals had learned to live alongside these wild elephants with mutual respect’s territory. Wild elephants have little to no contact at all with human beings. They are independent and are usually hesitant and distrustful of human beings, but in this instance, this strict rule had to be brushed off to the side.
In India, there are rural places where wild elephants roam freely. Locals had learned to live alongside these wild elephants with mutual respect’s territory. Wild elephants have little to no contact at all with human beings. They are independent and are usually hesitant and distrustful of human beings, but in this instance, this strict rule had to be brushed off to the side.
An Elephant Procession in Southern India
The Urulanthanni River is located near the southern tip of India. It is surrounded by lush forests which are home to a local elephant herd. They march through the land and the workers in the area came to know them very well and had learned not to bother them. Every time the herd would pass by, the ground seemed to shake under their weight.
One day, the elephant procession was in its normal route until something unexpected happened. To cross the Urulanthanni River, they had to walk through the holding on land. This part of the procession is a normal task for the elephants, but this time, they were marching with a baby elephant that was not yet accustomed to crossing the river. The baby elephant was the smallest in the group, and it stumbled and fell into a hollow space between the land and the river filled with mud. The baby elephant was left unable to move, and the rest of the herd didn’t know how to retrieve it.
The Struggles of the Baby Elephant
The herd realized that the baby was in terrible danger. It struggled to get back on its feet and moving inside a deep hole that was almost the same size as its body was tiring. There was not enough space to decisively move upward and the calf was getting weaker.
What made the situation even worse was the thick layer of mud at the bottom of the cavity. The baby elephant felt the strain of moving in what felt like wet concrete. It started crying very loudly and its agony could be felt by every adult elephant in the herd.
The Elephants Began to Feel Anxious
The noises made by the calf didn't seem to help. The baby elephant was showing signs of fatigue and hopelessness and the sight was too hard to bear for the adult elephants.
Time passed by and still, the elephants were at a loss as to what they should do. But as the minutes turned into hours, they knew that the danger got bigger and bigger as the young elephant began to lose its energy. The thought of losing the youngest member of the family was devastating and yet, it seemed like they couldn't do anything about it.
It Was Next to Hopeless
After a few hours, the baby elephant seemed to be fading fast. The heat of the sun made the matter worse and it seemed that a brutal end was just around the corner. The older elephants have still circled the hole. Though they couldn't bear watching the desperate moment, they wouldn't leave. When the baby elephant seemed to close its eyes, the herd began to scream. It was a thunderous cry of anguish.
With a small glimmer of hope, the older elephants gave out their warning signals. This deafening sound is one of the most heartbreaking noises you could ever hear and can hardly be ignored. When elephants are distraught, they give out a sound that when sounded together, produces a noise like that of a trumpet. Seeing the youngest member of their herd slowly succumbing to fatigue, they began trumpeting as loud as they could.
The Last Try for Dear Life
Even after losing most of its energy, the baby elephant’s will was restored when it heard the deafening sound being made by the rest of the elephants in the herd. It was their way of showing their concern and love for each other.
Mustering all the strength remaining in its small body, it once again tried to kick its way out of the hole. But it seemed that the slippery sides of the hole wouldn’t allow the baby elephant to come out so easily. With one final try, the unfortunate elephant slumped back into the hole.
The Strange Noise From a Distance
The local community was bothered to hear loud sounds from a distance. At first, they couldn’t make out where it was coming from or what it was. Some thought it was traffic while others figured it was some kind of music from far away. But when the strange noises continued, the locals knew something was wrong. The sound was unusual. However, they just couldn’t figure out what was happening.
Though the locals were initially quite fearful of the strange noise, some of them decided to try and find out where it was coming from. The sound seemed to originate from the forest which was over a mile away. The residents went in a group and headed towards the direction of the trees. As they drew closer to the source of the sound, some of the residents began to guess what was going on. But still, they had to be cautious.
The Locals Had to Get Closer But Were Still Wary
The residents just couldn’t give up on finding out where the noise was coming from. As more and more residents went into the forest to find out the answer, the braver part of the group decided to get closer to the scene. Finding the elephants, they were aware that wild elephants could attack humans and hurt them if they wanted to. But still, they didn't stop.
Under normal circumstances, the locals wouldn’t dare go near the wild beasts. Being true to their nature, they knew that the wild elephants would protect their territory and harm human beings who they thought threatened their safety. But at that particular moment, the wild elephants did not look bewildered and angry at all. The presence of the locals seemed to bring them a new glimmer of hope.
Even the Locals Were at a Loss
Despite being smarter than the elephants, the locals were also stunned by the situation. For a while, they just looked at the struggling baby elephant and the grieving members of the herd. Surveying the area, they knew that they wouldn’t be able to lift the baby elephant using just their hands, but they couldn’t just let it die within the hole. The residents decided to inform the authorities.
Some of the concerned locals went to the town to ask for help. As evening fell, the baby elephant had stopped moving. It lay quietly at the bottom of the hole as if patiently waiting for its end. It was already dark but both the herd of the elephants and some of the locals stayed to wait for help. Everyone was hoping that the baby elephant could hold on until the officials with the proper experience and equipment came. Every second that passed was pure torture to the young elephant.
Finally, a Caravan of Cars Came
The group of locals jumped for joy at the sight of cars coming from a distance. Even the older elephants seemed to understand that help was on its way. After what seemed like an eternity, the rescue team reached the site of the accident.
The rescue team that came to the scene identified themselves as forest and wildlife officers. To be able to come up with the best strategy to save the poor elephant, they had to assess the scene. That meant that some of the residents had to move. Even the herd of elephants had to be redirected somewhere as well. Upon further analysis, the rescue team realized that the situation required more serious equipment. It was not as simple as they first imagined. One of the officers had to go back to the town and ask for additional support. The situation wouldn’t be resolved within the day.
The Heavy Reinforcements Finally Came
As night fell, the other locals and officials decided to stay with the herd of elephants. If the group of wild beasts could wait patiently, so could the humans who wanted to rescue the baby elephant as much as its family did. The night became dawn and a new day began. When morning came, the locals and officials jumped to their feet upon hearing the distant rumbling of vehicles. The wildlife officer who was sent to the town brought back another team of rescuers. But this time, they had a giant excavator in tow.
Although there were additional tools they could use for the rescue mission, the wildlife officers still had to find out the best way to lift the elephant without further risking its life. The more they looked, the worse the situation appeared.
No Matter What It Takes
The baby elephant had been in the hole for more than a day. It was already seven in the morning on the second day when the rescue team officially began. Judging by the actions of the older elephants in the herd, they wanted to have the baby elephant back on land as soon as possible. Seeing the attachment and feelings of the wild beasts, the rescuers felt more determined than ever to lift out the baby elephant alive. They wanted to save the poor animal no matter what it took.
With the presence of heavy machinery and officials from the town, more and more residents got curious and went to the area. However, the rescuers had to restrain them from getting too close as the situation was very serious and had to be handled carefully. Although the officials had only to rescue a baby elephant, it still weighed between 400-600 pounds. Even two strong people would have a hard time dealing with the situation. The equipment had to be used as carefully and as appropriately as possible. But with time against them, the task was easier said than done.
The Experts Began to Do Their Jobs
The wildlife officers decided to use the excavator. The mud had lodged the baby elephant pretty solidly. Of course, the rescuers were no amateurs and they found out ways to remove the mud without further risking the life of the young elephant. The operator of the excavator began to dig and remove a bunch of the mud and dirt that surrounded the elephant. They needed to widen the space so that the fallen one could finally move. However, the baby couldn't be lifted just like that even if they successfully created enough space to do so. Instead, they worked on creating a pathway from the crevice. The job took hours.
While other locals couldn’t understand why the rescuers wouldn’t just lift the baby elephant using the heavy artillery, they just continued to stare and watch. The wildlife officers definitely knew what they were doing. It seemed that the older elephants were fully aware of what was happening. They even gave way for the large machine. The equipment was noisy and it made the ground vibrate with its power. However, no elephant in the herd seemed to grow tense and nervous. All they cared about was the safety of the youngest member of the herd.
The Locals Decided to Lend a Helping Hand
Seeing that the excavator had already created enough space for the baby elephant to move, the locals decided to join the rescue mission. Some of the strongest local men volunteered to mark the area where the excavator needed to dig. Seeing everyone working together, the baby elephant must have known that it was going to live. Seeing that it was keen to fight for its life once more, the rest of the herd paced back and forth as a sign of support.
The wildlife officers, despite the presence of the heavy equipment, were delighted by the extra help provided by the residents. An officer was assigned to give organized orders to the people. One wrong move and all their effort already expended could go to waste. The local volunteers had to be extremely careful to not risk their own safety too. Some provided food for the rescue team, and the mission slowly turned into a community project.
The Excavator Made Everything Easier
Although the noise of the huge piece of machinery was quite disturbing, the wild elephants just continued to watch in awe. It was day two and the herd was still intact. The sight of them waiting patiently for their baby elephant inspired the locals and the rescuers to continue their efforts. The excavator was ultimately their savior. If not for that piece of heavy equipment, the locals would tire out digging the mud and dirt using their hands and shovels. Even though the process was already taking a long time, the officials were not tempted to rush things.
As people were busy working on their designated tasks, the sudden stop of the deafening noise startled them. They all looked at the excavator. It seemed that something was wrong. The operator of the excavator restarted the engine of the heavy equipment. But still, nothing happened. Fortunately, some of the local volunteers knew a thing or two about engine repair. They came to the front and offered to help. They knew how crucial time was in this rescue mission.
The Rescue Had to Stop for a While
The officials had the necessary tools and repair work restarted. Some of the rescuers and volunteers took some time to rest as the rescue mission had been extremely tiring. There were snacks and drinks provided by some other concerned residents. In the meantime, the baby elephant had to wait once again.
As they somewhat understood the situation, the older elephants began to scream once again. To calm them, some of the rescuers got closer to the baby elephant to ensure it was still okay. Luckily, the baby elephant was still holding on for dear life.
The Mechanics Had to Be Quick
The volunteer mechanics from the residents went on to do the job. But upon further analysis, they found out that a hasty repair wouldn’t work. The engine problem required a considerable amount of time to fix. Another hour went by and the mechanics still were not close to fixing the machine. Another local volunteer came to the front and gave suggestions so that the excavator could get back to work once again. The wild elephants began stomping their feet.
With their combined ideas and effort, the mechanics were able to set the engine up and running once again. There was a cheer from the audience. Instantly, the rescue mission was back to life. The locals and the rescuers had adequate rest and they were reenergized and ready to work again. They got back to their designated places and orders were given. It became clear to everyone that nothing could stop them now.
A Happy Ending
At first glance, the situation seemed easy. There was an excavator, many people around, and plenty of tools and shovels. However, it took a great effort from the team of rescuers and volunteers to finally save the poor elephant. The mission that began the night before finally came to an end the next afternoon.
After what seemed like an eternity, the rescuers were able to create enough space and a pathway so that the baby elephant could walk its way out. The herd of elephants watched in awe as the poor baby struggled to its feet, this time, with a renewed energy and determination.
The Glorious Reunion
The locals were not used to being so close to the wild beasts. Yet at that moment, everyone’s heart was filled with joy as they watched the baby elephant walk slowly towards its family. The parents of the youngest member came over and showed their affection. The ecstatic emotion was in the air and it was beautiful to witness. As the crowd cheered for the much-awaited reunion, the herd of the elephants began to show their appreciation and delight. They cried in unison, but this time, they weren't cries of sadness.
As the adult elephants circled the youngest and dearest member of the herd, the locals watched with pure amazement and relief in their hearts. At that moment, the rescuers and the locals realized that even animals experience a lot of emotions in their lifetime. As they huddled together across the river, the older elephants made sure that the unfortunate accident wouldn’t happen again. They guided the little one patiently until it had crossed the landholding successfully.
The Act of Gratitude
The locals had spent over a day with the wild beasts. Exhausted as they were, the sight of the happy animals seemed to take their tiredness away. They wanted to watch the herd until they were out of sight. Once the animals reached the other side of the river, an amazing thing happened. They all turned their heads as if they were saying goodbye. However, the locals knew more. The elephants had looked back to give their thanks. The crowd of watchers would always remember that act of gratitude.
Just as they thought they have seen everything, the locals were startled once more. The wild elephants formed a line. The watchers thought they were just resting again. One by one, the wild elephants raised their trunks. But when they looked again, the elephants were raising their trunks and giving out a trumpet sound. The sound was happy and the sight was rare. The wild beasts were giving the rescuers a salute. It was more than enough. The spectators were lost for words.
An Unforgettable Day
The crowd of onlookers laughed with each other and congratulated one another for what they had achieved. They knew that everyone in the area gave their all to save the baby elephant. The salute from the massive animals was totally priceless. The grateful elephants continued on their procession. But that day, everyone knew that what happened would last in their memories forever.
The herd of wild elephants began to look smaller and smaller to the eyes of the villagers. They began making their way into the forests. Nobody knew when they would be able to get as close to the wild beasts as they were that day. The locals stayed on the other side of the river until the last elephant was out of sight. They had spent a considerable amount of time on the rescue mission and yet, their hearts were full. Every second was worth it.
Girl Gone Missing, When The Police Found Her They Couldn't Believe Who Was With Her
What’s more painful than losing a child? A household in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky thought they lost their precious little one after she went missing for 36 hours. It was the most distressing and agonizing hours of their life. They were all over the place and they did not know what to do. They already called their neighbors for help and reported it to the authorities. Everyone was searching for the missing child. Thankfully, after a long day and a sleepless night, she was found!
But it was not just the family who was shocked after seeing her alive and well, she was not alone! She came back and they could not believe who was with her.
The Precious Little One
Charlee Campbell was just a typical two-year-old baby girl living in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky with her grandmother. Like any other kid, she was enjoying her childhood going around the house and running in their backyard. She was not just loved by the whole family, but the whole town. It seemed like just another ordinary day when Beth Campbell, little Charlee’s grandmother, was relaxing in her house as she knew that her granddaughter was happily playing around outside with their dog, Penny. But she panicked when she could not find Charlee. She was nowhere to be found.
As soon as Beth realized that their precious little one was not around, she went to her neighbors to ask if they saw Charlee. But the neighbors haven't seen her. Beth was getting more and more nervous, and she could not help but think of the worst-case scenario that might happen to her beloved granddaughter. When the neighborhood learned about the situation, they joined Beth in her search for the young child.
Heartbreaking Hours of Searching
The whole neighborhood was in distress searching for her. As the sun started to set, there was no clue as to where Charlee was. The word ‘anxious’ is not enough to describe what they were feeling at that time. The most heartbroken were Charlee’s parents and family. Natalie Quick, her mother, and Lisa Chesher, her great-grandmother, as well as Beth, were truly heartbroken with the disappearance of their precious little one. As night came, the family, neighborhood, and local authorities did not stop searching for Charlee and praying for her safety.
The search continued, and before they knew it they were already two days into the hunt. Charlee’s family worked along with the sheriff’s office to locate her for almost two days, looking for the little girl who, as they believed, had wandered off into the woods nearby. Many people became involved, each had exerted a considerable amount of effort and time into the search. In fact, they even “interviewed several family members Thursday and Friday during the search, along with the FBI,” as Scotty McGaha of the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office told INSIDER.
Into the Woods
Though the family was obviously in a catastrophic state, the fact that the little girl was out there in the wilderness made the situation even worst. Only the local authorities could enter the woods to search for her because they could not risk putting civilians in the same danger. The family had to wait.
The sheriff, together with the police and the firefighters, went in and out of the woods several times, and never gave up on finding Charlee. But they couldn't help but feel worried when they witnessed and experienced the danger of the wild themselves. The local authorities were doubtful about a good outcome, as officers thought about what may have already happened to the child.
Found
The search crews and FBI agents spent hours Thursday and Friday in the heat and humidity. The terrain was rocky, dangerous, and full of snakes. The police were all equipped and ready to go into the wild and try their luck again when suddenly one of their neighbors reported the news they have been waiting for: Charlee was finally found! However, she was not alone.
Among all the concerned, the first sigh of relief came from the man who found her first – Wayne Brown. He recalled how he had been sitting on his sofa as he was praying for Charlee’s return. It was then when he saw a blonde-haired girl wandering in his backyard.
Mr. Brown
Brown told the story to the police in detail, describing the little girl’s appearance when he saw her. “I saw the dirt all over her, and she had leaves in her hair, and I opened the door, and I said 'Are you Charlee?' And she handed me this bottle. And I said 'Are you Charlee?' She didn't answer me. She wouldn't say anything.”
But he was also shocked that she was not the only one who emerged from the woods. It seemed like little Charlee had a companion all this time.
Someone Else Was Missing Too
With Charlee’s disappearance, Beth and the whole family did not notice that it was not just the child who went missing. There was someone else who was missing and that they hadn't noticed. But when he emerged from the woods with Charlee they couldn't have been more relieved to find out that he was with her.
Penny, the family's dog, was gone too for 36 hours, and when Charlee was found Penny was found with her since apparently, it was with the girl the whole time. The family could not be more than thankful that Charlee was not alone in the woods when she was lost. However, little did everyone knows that Wayne Brown had pain of his own, too.
A Loyal Companion Beside Her
The news of Charlee’s return and how she was accompanied by their brave pet spread in the neighborhood. The community couldn't help but be amazed by the dog’s loyalty and courage. All of them were praying for Charlee’s safety but no one really expected that the child would be able to find the way home again. With her safe return, everyone was deeply grateful for Penny because she never left her side. She became the town's hero.
“When they told me that Charlee was found, I was just outside of myself. I was so happy,” Beth emphasized. Still, she put her faith in Penny. “My dog was not going to leave that baby until she got back here. This is our hero right here.” The family could not help but cry in gratefulness for their little girl's guardian angels. From Penny, who never left her side, to Mr. Brown, who prayed for the child and found her first.
Home Sweet Home
For Quick, it’s was unbearable to not be able to find her kid, and even more unbearable when 100 people searching couldn't find her either. But when little Charlee had finally come home, her happiness was unparalleled as well. “I can’t even explain how happy that I am that this baby is home because I love her more than anything in this world,” granny Campbell exclaimed.
Some people thought that their reunion was never going to happen. It was actually an emotional one, with Charlee’s grandfather running to greet her with a stuffed animal at the BCSO. Granny Campbell, on the other hand, promised some extra treats for both Charlee and Penny, mainly putting the hero pit bull on a diet of hamburgers. It’s a way of thanking her for staying with Charlee.
Charlee’s Angels
The pain that Charlee’s family went through when she went missing is not something that any family would wish on itself. “She was out there all night last night. I won't stop until she's found. I don't care if the dogs have searched and no scent. I don't care. I'll look until she comes back or something,” her mother Natalie Quick said.
Thankfully, other people also aided in the search. As Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office wrote in their Facebook post, “We cannot thank enough the firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, search teams, other public safety agencies, and the volunteer searchers from the community. Bullitt County residents always step up to help each other. #CharleeIsSafe #WeAreBullittCounty”
Charlee Found Her Way Home
After the encounter with her neighbor, Charlee was transported to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville. As the sheriff has revealed, she bore “no obvious serious injuries.” Nonetheless, they emphasized that the girl did look dehydrated and had several tick bites on her skin.
Charlee was immediately taken to the hospital for evaluation, being wheeled inside on a stretcher and clutching a stuffed animal close to her chest. The little girl showed no signs of emotion, she was silent since her first appearance on her neighbor’s porch. Little Charlee may have found her way home, but the people involved still had a mystery to solve - what happened to the child while they were all looking for her?
Uncovering Another Painful Story
Questions still linger despite Charlee’s return. From her disappearance up to her comeback, the circumstances are indeed full of mystery. Nonetheless, Brown maneuvered the tragedy on Friday as he offered water to the lost girl and called 911. It might have ended the search, but it hit close to home for him for yet another heartbreaking reason.
Brown had just spent three hours searching for Charlee on Thursday. And then on Friday evening, he discovered Charlee right outside his house. “I'm convinced that God led her to our porch,” Brown spoke of his encounter with Charlee.
Fate
“They’ve been everywhere. They’ve been all over this place, and how did they not find this child, and she just shows up where the search has been. How does that happen,” Brown can’t help but ask. His own brother went missing at the age of three, but unlike Charlee, the little boy didn’t return home. Unfortunately, he was later found drowned in a creek.
“My little brother went missing. He’d wandered away from the home and he had climbed three fences. They found him miles away from the house. It was actually my uncle who found him, and he was dead,” Mr. Brown recalled. Apparently, he felt like fate made it so he would find Charlee.
Hard Times
While the family was in deep pain, the people around them also shared their grief. Even Sheriff Tinnell had his fair share of sympathy. "It was emotional for me. We didn't give up hope, but hope was going down for me,” the good-willed officer shared.
On Friday afternoon, Charlee’s mother expressed how having to deal with this is one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do. Bullitt County Sherriff, however, doesn’t think that little Charlee was missing in the woods alone for 32 hours. On the other hand, Charlee’s great-grandmother tells that there’s another side to the story.
Family Problem
“It has been the most horrific thing my whole family has ever been through. This whole scenario of them taking her and hiding her, and then the FBI shows up, and then they drop her off in the woods ... that's ridiculous,” Lisa Chesher, Charlee’s great grandmother, shared.
The whole family was happy they found their baby alive and well. As if what they just went through wasn’t enough yet, they were given another nightmare to survive. “To see how my daughter and granddaughter are being painted by Sheriff Tinnell is not fair,” Chesher added. Yet again, they are faced with a new conflict.
Digging For More
While Charlee’s return is a huge triumph, there are still people who just can’t quite let the mysteries go. The Bullitt County Sheriff’s office went out to search for more answers on Saturday. Sheriff Donnie Tinnell showed up at Brown’s Roy Layne Road property to do a foot search, down the hill to Charlee’s house.
In hopes of finding tracks or scents by using dogs, the BCSO kept on digging for more. Merely seeing the lost girl was not enough for them, especially with their very own experiences on the terrain where she was believed to have been.
Unfavorable Circumstances
Come Saturday morning, Charlee’s family revealed that their little girl was still in the hospital. Thankfully, the toddler was doing okay. Even Sherriff Tinnell expressed feelings of gratitude. “I'm just so happy she's safe and alive. We're blessed she's healthy.”
She was treated well in the hospital, but Charlee’s overall form was not that good. When the little girl arrived at the hospital, she was still wearing the Disney pajama top which was what her grandmother reported her missing in. However, she wasn’t wearing any pants or a diaper. This only sparked more intrigue for suspecting minds.
Pointing Out Suspects
Though he says he doesn’t want to speculate, Sherriff Donnie Tinnell thinks that someone is definitely responsible for Charlie’s disappearance, and that person is someone close to her. Apparently, the fact that the toddler lived with her grandparents seemed sketchy to him.
"The little girl had scratches on her feet, dirty feet, and ticks on her. She was in those woods for some period of time. It didn't indicate to me she was in there for 36 hours. My suspicion is there's a custody issue between the mother and grandmother. I suspect maybe something is going on that we don't know about yet," the sheriff revealed.
Denying Accusations
The other end of the dispute also expressed their side. “There's not a custody battle. My granddaughter goes there every day with her baby and takes care of her,” great grandmother Chesher spoke of Charlee and her mother.
As the police officer came up with a hypothesis, Chesher also came up with a theory of her own regarding what really happened to Charlee. “She opened the door. She had just learned how to do the deadbolt the day before,” as Chesher put it simply. Although that presumption is not entirely impossible, there is still an important detail left from the whole picture.
Undisclosed Battle
Even before Charlee’s disappearance, her grandmother was battling a struggle of her own. Beth Campbell, Charlee’s grandmother, and Chesher’s daughter are battling addiction. She even admitted to a recent relapse. This detail might be a vital factor for the sheriff’s accusations.
Amidst all the trouble, Beth told Sherriff Tinnell that she was on the meth. “She didn't have to do that, but she did,” Chesher said. Instead of the focus being on Charlee’s disappearance, the random confession started unwarranted trouble. Nonetheless, their angel is home now but with layers of mystery surrounding her still.
Unbelievable Survival
Charlee was found at a neighbor’s house shortly after Penny arrived home, according to law enforcement officials. The house in question is several hundred yards up a wooded hill from her grandmother’s home. No matter how much they looked, though, the police officers knew something didn't add up.
“I can't believe she survived it. There are coyotes in the hills. There are copperheads and rattlesnakes and ticks, all the elements. And somehow she came out in pretty good shape,” Bullitt County Sherriff Donnie Tinnell disclosed. Charlee’s disappearance is sketchy enough, but her survival despite deadly risks created more questions than there were before.
Knocking on the Neighbor’s Door
The amazing survival story of little Charlee is far from over. In fact, it “continued tonight when she walked up on a porch on Roy Layne Road this evening,” Bullitt County Sherriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post on Friday.
“The homeowners realized who she was and contacted authorities. She has no obvious serious injuries but did appear dehydrated and had some tick bites,” the Facebook post also stated. Having Charlee back is excellent news not only for her family but to the people who have followed the news with them as well. Yet again, there is still more to her story.
Someone’s Guilty
After wishing for Charlee’s safe return, there’s a new concern that the people around the little girl are hoping for – for Charlee to make a full recovery as soon as possible. Chesher, especially, can’t stop thanking God that her great-granddaughter is safe. She emphasized that Charlee has a normal life and that she has people that adore her.
“But my daughter definitely needs to get herself together and take care of herself,” Chesher added. This might be a factor in the Sheriff’s plans for pursuing negligence charges in the case. In the meantime, Charlee is in the custody of Child Protective Services.
The Main Point
Sheriff Tinnell was firm in his belief that the girl’s disappearance is somewhat related to a custody dispute. It was still unclear where Charlee was while she was missing and whether she was outside in the woods the whole time. The Sherriff declared that the criminal investigation would continue and that Child Protective Services will also be involved.
No criminal charges have been filed so far. Nonetheless, Charlee’s family is relieved that their little girl has returned to them with the help of their new hero, Penny. That alone is important for them after facing the possibility of them not being able to see their baby anymore.
Being A Part of The Herd
Much like other wild animals, Elephants thrive when they're a part of a herd. Being abandoned by his herd had left this baby elephant completely helpless. The best course of action was to reintroduce the elephant into a herd before it was too late. The staff at the reserve tried to integrate the elephant into the herd multiple times.
Unfortunately, these attempts were unsuccessful. The herd kept rejecting the poor baby elephant, leaving the rescue team with no options. The only thing they could do to save the elephant was to take care of him themselves. Perhaps once the elephant was older, the herd would be more welcoming towards it.