The family of a lost toddler in rural Kentucky is rejoicing, praising their dog for keeping the little girl alive after she went missing for over two days. After suddenly missing early Thursday morning, Charlee Campbell, 2, and her Pitbull Penny emerged from the woods in Lebanon Junction.
“This is our hero right here,” Charlee’s grandmother, Beth Campbell, told WISV. “She was not going to leave that baby until she arrived here when my dog didn’t come home and my baby wasn’t home.” The dog arrived home seconds before Charlee was discovered by neighborhood homeowner Wayne Brown, according to the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office.
“I saw the filth all over her and leaves in her hair, and I opened the door and shouted, ‘Are you Charlee?'” he told WDRB. “And then she handed me this bottle,” says the narrator. ‘Are you Charlee?’ I asked. She didn’t respond to my question. She was deafeningly quiet.”
According to WDRB, the girl was dehydrated and had scrapes and bug bites when she was discovered. Authorities are investigating, and Charlee has been placed with Child Protective Services for the time being, according to WDRB. It’s unclear how she vanished.
“Charlee’s remarkable survival story continued tonight when she walked up on a porch on Roy Layne Road this evening,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook. “When the homeowners realized who she was, they called the cops.” Her dog, ironically, had returned home on its just minutes before Charlee approached the homeowners.”
“We cannot thank the firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, search teams, other public safety agencies, and volunteer searchers from the community enough,” the message continued. “I’m just relieved she’s alive and well.” “We’re lucky she’s still alive,” Sheriff Donnie Tinnell stated. “It was a very emotional experience for me.” We didn’t give up hope, but my chances were dwindling.”