There is nothing scarier for a parent than having their child missing. In this world full of lunatics who take advantage of young children, many moms and dads are concerned for the safety of their little ones. Unfortunately, many times, cases of missing children don’t end up with positive outcomes. Luckily, that wasn’t the case with Caroline and Leia Carrico, 5 and 8-year-old sisters from northern California who went missing in the woods on March 1.
The girls were found two days later, at around 10:30 a.m by the search and rescue teams involved in the process of locating the sisters, Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal reported.
According to NBC, despite being cold and hungry, both Caroline and Leila were in a good physical shape.
“I’m pleased to report that you’re all witnessing a miracle today,” the sheriff said at a Sunday news conference. “Caroline and Leia have been found safe and sound in southern Humboldt.”
The search teams managed to locate the sisters thanks to the rain boot tracks they left on the muddy road, as well as the granola bar wrappers they left behind. They were eventually found about 1.4 miles south from the place they were reported to be seen last.
#searchandrescue #update Leia and Caroline were found approximately 1.4 miles south of their residence near Richardson’s Grove. Here’s a first look from the scene where first responders located the girls.
Press release with more information as soon as possible today. pic.twitter.com/k2bUTQOtrt— Humboldt County Sheriff (@HumCoSO) March 3, 2019
It was really amazing how they managed to stay well and hydrated. Honsal said how they drank water from the plants and found a shelter under a patch of huckleberry bushes. Both sisters underwent wilderness survival training through their 4-H club which Honsal believed helped them stay safe and sound.
The older girl even gave her coat to her little sister to keep her warm and the two took care of each other during those scary and long two days.
After the teams heard noises, they called out for the girls who quickly responded. The rescuers followed the sound of their voices and that’s how they located them.
“They were safe and sound, still ambulatory, in good spirits, not injured,” the sheriff said.
The girls were reported missing on March 1 at around 3 p.m
Benbow missing girls found safe https://t.co/4SgVZ6HqjA pic.twitter.com/IRMQieNeNf
— Humboldt County Sheriff (@HumCoSO) March 4, 2019
“The two asked to go for a walk,” Honsal said. “The mother said, ‘No.’ And then, in the course of getting things ready and stuff, she noticed they were missing around 3 o’clock.”
She quickly went outside trying to find her daughters. She even asked form her neighbors to help her locate them, but in vain. Some three hours later, the mother reported the case to the police.
The moment the girls were brought home, everyone felt overwhelmed.
“When my two daughters Leia, age 8, and Caroline, aged 5, wandered off into the woods the whole world came to our aid,”
“With the help of the volunteer search and rescue, technical rescue, sheriffs office, local volunteers, multiple other agencies my girls were found after 44 hours.
“My girls were found cold, tired, but alive.”
“We have so many of these kinds of efforts that end up in tears and tragedy,” said Humboldt County Second District Supervisor Estelle Fennell. “Today, we can all shed tears of joy.”