Missing Alabama girl, 4, was 'protected' by her dog in a forest till she was found 48 hours later
AUBURN, ALABAMA: A four-year-old Alabama girl who was reported missing last week was found in a forested region less than a mile away from her home.
Evelyn Vadie Sides was reported missing after she wandered away from her babysitter, who is in her 70s, from her home in the small community of Loachapoka, just west of Auburn, on Wednesday, March 25.
"The call was from a caretaker for the child, a friend of the family, she reported that she and the 4-year-old missing girl identified as baby Sides were outside in the back of the residence, that literally she was there one moment and then she looked up and the little girl had disappeared from her view," Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said.
The report triggered a search that saw hundreds of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, as well as drones and horses, involved.
Vadie had disappeared for close to 48 hours before she was finally located on Friday afternoon in woods close to her home, with her dog, who had gone missing with her, staying loyally by her side until rescuers reached her.
"One of the volunteers that was probably 50 yards to my right … heard a dog bark," one of the rescuers told WRBL. "The dog was actually kind of spooked and came at the man a little bit and then saw the line of about 30 of us, and the dog turned around and went down the hill."
"The dog was with her protecting her the whole time," said LCSO Andrew Peacock.
"Praise God Vadie was there, she popped her head up, we saw her little red hair," another said. "I'll tell you what, she was scratched up on the knees and the forearms but otherwise in great spirits, she was just talking like 'no big deal' … it's truly a miracle."
The four-year-old grandmother, Harriet Sides, was overjoyed the young girl was brought back to the family safe and sound.
"I'm so happy and grateful to God for watching over my beautiful granddaughter and bringing her safely back to us," she told AL.com.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office was equally ecstatic that Vadie had been found before any harm had come to her.
"No words are capable of describing everyone's relief," Jones told WSFA. "We are just, ecstatic might be a good word. She is in good shape, she is responsive, she is talking, she's alert. She is in good physical condition, and the best part is she is with her mama."
Jones also thanked the 300-odd volunteers who had assisted his office and other law enforcement agencies in the search.
"Our thanks just don't seem like enough, but they have our sincere and heartfelt thanks for the sacrifices they made," he said. "Several volunteers said this is such good news at a time when we need it... and I couldn't agree more."
"This was really good, solid, positive news in a time when I think people need it the most, with all the medical concerns going on."
Vadie's dog had run away when the rescuers approached it and could not be retrieved. However, it came back home of its own accord later.