Please pray about this!

[Momzilla]

My friend's son, David, snuck out of their house very early on Sunday morning and has not been seen since. They think he went to the back yard to ride his tricycle, and wandered off. He is only four years old. Stacey and her husband are out of their minds with worry.

Please, please pray for his safe return.

[Rilian]

Momzilla, I just prayed for his safety and for strength for his parents. Please let us know if you find out anything more.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

I'll pray, too!:prayer: Let us know what happens.

[Eusebios]

MomZ,
I have asked St. Nicholas for his intercession before the throne.I will check back later when I get back from work to see if I need to include this family when I complete the small Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos tonight.
LORD HAVE MERCY.
Eusebios.
http://www.christianforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16090&stc=1

[Filia Mariae]

I will certainly pray for this little one and ask Mary, Mother of God and St. Joseph also to intercede for him.:prayer:

[Akathist]

I didn't post earlier but I prayed last night and am praying now. This is one of the reason's why I like the work I do. I try to prevent things like this from happening. There are horrible people out there and it is so sad to think of what might have happened to this precious one.

[Matrona]

I'm praying! :prayer: Where is he missing from? Are there any updates yet?

[The Prokeimenon!]

I just prayed. "Scared" must not even be able to begin to describe how those parents must feel right now. Please give us an update when possible.

Lord Jesus Christ our God, in your mercy, please bring that boy home safe and sound!

Katherine

[Matrona]

I looked for him on the NCMEC website, but didn't find anything, but for anyone else who is interested, here's the address: http://www.ncmec.org/

[Rilian]

I've been thinking about this all morning too. I looked around the news sites for Greenville, SC (I think that's where Momzilla is from), but I can't find anything about this.

[Momzilla]

I have no info right now. I just saw Stacey (the mom) on Saturday, and apparently the detective heading the investigation wants to talk to everyone who was at the gathering. He went missing sometime early Sunday morning; they think he may have climbed over the fence in their backyard, as he sometimes does.

I'll try to post a link to his picture for y'all, so you can be on the lookout (no matter where you are in the country) and so you can see who you're praying for.

Okay, here's a link to Stacey's weblog, which has a picture of David: Perle Moon (http://perlemoon.blogspot.com/)

[Matrona]

If they haven't already, David needs to be entered into the NCIC Missing Persons File right away.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

:cry: What a beautiful little boy. I'll keep praying. I hope they can do an Amber ALert where you're at.

[Matrona]

Here's an article on the case: http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=42897

[Rilian]

I wish there was something I could do, I talked to my wife and she feels terrible about it too. I'm totally paranoid about this kind of thing, and all our doors and windows are alarmed.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

I don't have kids or anything, but does it sound odd to anyone that a 4 yr. old child would get up in the middle of the night and want to go outside and play? I think at that age I would've been too afraid of the dark for that. Are they sure he left the home by himself, i.e., could it have been an intruder in the house? I'm just thinking out loud. It always tears me up emotionally to hear when things like this happen.

[Momzilla]

As Matrona's link indicates, Stacey and her family live in Georgia, near Atlanta. I'm in Greenville, SC, but I had driven to Georgia for a get-together with Stacey and some other friends on Saturday.

One of the things they know is that David was home and in bed between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. That's part of what kills me--I know perfectly well that when Stacey got home from the get-together, she checked on her kids before going to bed herself. I know it because that's exactly what I did when I got home about the same time.

[Oblio]

We've got the same copy (http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/breaking_news/9302478.htm) here in the Macon Ga area :(

[Momzilla]

GDE, if it were my 4-year-old, I would assume that he woke up early, after first light, and then went out to play, not that he went out in the middle of the night. If Andy wakes in the middle of the night he comes to our room, usually; if he wakes up in the morning before we are up, he often goes straight downstairs and we'll find him in front of the TV with his sippy cup of milk. However, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he would decide to go for a ride on his trike instead. That's why we have toddler locks on all the doors.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

GDE, if it were my 4-year-old, I would assume that he woke up early, after first light, and then went out to play, not that he went out in the middle of the night. If Andy wakes in the middle of the night he comes to our room, usually; if he wakes up in the morning before we are up, he often goes straight downstairs and we'll find him in front of the TV with his sippy cup of milk. However, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he would decide to go for a ride on his trike instead. That's why we have toddler locks on all the doors.
Ah, that does make more sense. I can remember getting up at the break of day before everyone else. Of course, I did it in order to get first dibs on what cartoons to watch.;) Nonetheless, I will keep praying for this little precious one.:prayer:

[Matrona]

Are there any wooded or semi-wooded areas near their home? Drainage pipes or construction sites?

[Oblio]

IIRC the area nearby was wooded

[Oblio]

From the AP copy:

Dozens of volunteers broadened the search beyond the half-mile radius they had already covered, but the process has been slowed by the terrain, police said.

"There are areas of very heavy undergrowth that must be searched manually," said Lt. Kenneth Turner of the Henry County police. "There are also areas out there that are unpopulated, and we're having to manually search those areas. We're trying to be methodical."

[Mary of Bethany]

What a precious little boy.

O Lord, have mercy on him and his family.

[Matrona]

I wish I could be there to help look for him. :( Missing children always break my heart. I'll keep praying...

[Momzilla]

The latest word is that they have called off the civilian search for the day. They have covered a 6-8 mile radius, and they don't think he could have gotten any further than that. They will bring search dogs in again tonight--the dogs caught a scent yesterday, but lost it.

Evidently they are also organizing a dive team to search a nearby reservoir.

Please continue to pray.

[Matrona]

:( I pray they find him soon, safe and healthy.... :prayer:

[brewmama]

I was about to cry when I started to read this thread, hoping against hope that the news would be good at the end. This tears me up, I have to go offline for awhile and do something else.

[The Prokeimenon!]

I was about to cry when I started to read this thread, hoping against hope that the news would be good at the end. This tears me up, I have to go offline for awhile and do something else.

I'm about at that point, too. :cry: We don't even have any kids yet, but just imagining what this is must be like as a parent is making me crazy. Lord Jesus Christ, son of the loving God, have mercy on this precious little boy, and encircle him with guardian angels to bring him home safely.

Katherine

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

I'm about at that point, too. :cry: We don't even have any kids yet, but just imagining what this is must be like as a parent is making me crazy. Lord Jesus Christ, son of the loving God, have mercy on this precious little boy, and encircle him with guardian angels to bring him home safely.

KatherineAMEN. :cry:

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Well, this is getting national news coverage now. I just heard about it on Fox News. No new information so far. We'll all have to keep praying.:prayer:

[Filia Mariae]

Guardian angel of David, bring him safely home.

Lord Jesus Christ, You did not want a single little one to be harmed, bring this little one home to his mother and father.

St. Gabriel the Archangel, pray for David.:pray:

[Momzilla]

As of 7:30 pm Eastern time, there is nothing new to report. There was a vigil at the family's church this evening; there are literally thousands of people all over the world praying for David. Stacey is well known and well loved by her fellow needleworkers (which is how I know her).

The volunteer search will probably resume tomorrow--they had so many people it was getting chaotic, so they called a temporary halt.

[countrymousenc]

:prayer:

[Matrona]

Here's his NCMEC poster... http://www.ncmec.org/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewPoster&caseNum=993958&orgPrefix=NCMC&searchLang=en_US

[Alfred M]

O, Holy Theotokos please pray to the Lord our God, your son Jesus Christ for the safety of this child. For you know the loss of a child and know the pain of this mother. We seek you intercessions of most powerful prayer in this time of need.

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee O virgin Theotokos; Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.

[Matrona]

http://www.amw.com/

http://www.pollyklaas.org/

http://www.childsearch.org/

[Akathist]

I am praying. But I don't have a very good feeling about this. I hope that the suspense doesn't last long and that the parents seek Jesus Christ to help them deal with this. And I hope that there is a happy ending. I will take these hopes to my prayers.

[Momzilla]

The latest word I have is from 1:30 this morning. The family brought in private scent-tracking dogs. They tracked David away from the reservoir that is about a mile from the family's house. The dogs found a matted down patch of grass where the investigators believe David must have slept. At that point the dogs were exhausted and they had to stop the search.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Well, I consider that to be a positive sign. If they continue looking in that area, hopefully they'll catch up to him. The poor little guy is probably quite scared, thirsty, and hungry by now. The risk of dehydration is high in the summer heat.

[Momzilla]

Another update, as of 8:30 this morning. this is cut and pasted from a stitcher's message board:

Dog teams last night before they stopped one team found a heavy cover of brush that the dog wanted to go in but the handler couldn't get into it. So that is the possibility that he could have found some shelter at some point. This morning the dogs went back out and then the scent was tracked to a nearby creek where they found small footprints consistent with a child. There was also evidence of a child perhaps slipping/falling. This would also have been a water source for him. One of the dog teams however also tracked his scent to a 6foot ravine and lost the scent. They will bring teams in to search the ravine to make sure that he has not fallen into it. Law enforcement is still going to dive the reservoir even tho the scent leads away from it just to rule it out. This morning Stacey and Robert [the parents] were interviewed via satellite by Good Day Atlanta. This dog team contacted Stacey and Robert. They are a private dog team that works with law enforcement, Henry County had to approve them, therefore they will work with all information they will be providing. The overnight and this morning scent tracks will be used to focus the searches. Aaron Tippin has put the front page of his website asking for help and information, and has passed it on to some major names in the country music industry. Valerie mentioned that Brooks & Dunn know and a few others names have been mentioned.

It sounds like they may be getting closer.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Another update, as of 8:30 this morning. this is cut and pasted from a stitcher's message board:



It sounds like they may be getting closer.:prayer: :prayer: :prayer:

[Matrona]

Another update, as of 8:30 this morning. this is cut and pasted from a stitcher's message board:

It sounds like they may be getting closer.
Bless the Lord! I pray they'll find him soon!

[Dust and Ashes]

I offer my feeble prayers for his safe return as well. :prayer:

[Oblio]

Did they find him safe ??

I am getting a half finished report (http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/breaking_news/9309417.htm):

Breaking News at 9:35 AM EDT

The boy had been missing since Sunday morning

Associated Press


The boy had been missing since Sunday morning. Authorities believe the child opened the door of his house near Stockbridge and wandered away.

[Rilian]

I went back a page from Oblio's link and I think it says they found him alive, but the report is cut off.

This is what it said

Missing boy found alive

Associated Press

STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. - A missing four-year-old boy in Henry County has been alive.

David Tippin was found without the past hour. He is said to be dehydrated but otherwise in good condition.

The boy had been missing since Sunday morning. Authorities believe the child opened the door of his house near Stockbridge and wandered away.

[Momzilla]

That station is now reporting that he has been found alive! Praise God! I have a call in to a friend of the family to confirm. I will post when I have something definite.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD!!!!!!:bow: :bow: :bow: :clap:

[Rilian]

I really hope he's okay. I had a dream about this last night.

[Matrona]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that he was found safe and unharmed this morning near Millers Mill Road, less than a mile from his house! Thanks be to God!

[Momzilla]

Praise God, I have confirmation now. The house where they found him is an abandoned rental about 1/2 mile from his grandparents. The scent dogs tracked him there a short while ago. They've taken him to a hospital for evaluation, but it looks like nothing worse than some dehydration and a few bug bites.

I know that Stacey and Robert have no idea how many people have been praying for them over the past few days, but I have no doubt that those prayers helped them through. They are people with a deep and abiding faith in Christ. Thank you all so much for your prayers.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

I'm sooooo relieved!:cry: Make sure his parents hear about all the people who prayed for them and their son. To God belongs the glory!

[countrymousenc]

That's very good news! Glory to God!

[Eusebios]

Wow,
I am absolutely delighted to hear that. I just finished praying the first half of the Small Paraklesis and had included them in my intercession, God is so good, and the Theotokos is certainly a speedy and effectual intercessor on our behalf!!
Under His Mercy,
Eusebios.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/greymooncrest/OrthoPrayer.gif

[ExOrienteLux]

Slava tebje, Gospodi, slava tebje! :bow:

Glory be to God!

If I had my prayer book, I'd be reading an Akathist right now, even though I'm at work.

His sinful and unworthy servant,
Josh

[The Prokeimenon!]

yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K.

[Akathist]

What a relief.

Do they think he just got lost then? I was so afraid that someone was hurting him.

Praise be to God Almighty.

[Mary of Bethany]

Praise God!

This is wonderful news! "For he was lost, but now is found."

[Filia Mariae]

PRAISE GOD!:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Dust and Ashes]

Praise God!!! :bow: :bow: :bow:

[Momzilla]

Do they think he just got lost then? I was so afraid that someone was hurting him.

That appears to be the case. The bloodhounds tracked him over the backyard fence and through the woods, wandering through an old abandoned trailer, through a creek bed, etc. Basically, he just wandered out and got lost.

[Rilian]

How long did it take before they called out the bloodhounds Momzilla?

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Once again, the Lord uses dogs to save us humans. :clap:

[Momzilla]

Rilian, the police apparently had some out on Sunday. The team of hounds that actually found David were called in on Monday evening (hired privately by the family)--since they track by scent, and scent rises in the heat, they have to work at night or in the early morning. They tracked him to a certain point by late Monday night, then found him this morning.

David has been released from the hospital and is home with his family now.

[Dust and Ashes]

I wonder if the little guy has gotten any hugs or kisses since he got home. :D :hug: :kiss:

[Matrona]

They had a picture of him on the Atlanta paper's website today and he looks very happy and healthy!

[Matthias]

I hate to burst your bubble; but this should NEVER have happened in the first place. Accident or not, they do not sound as if they are fit to be parents. Anything could have happened to the poor chap if it had not been for the dogs.

In future I suggest they do what they should have done in the FIRST place. Lock their doors and windows at ALL times. They couldn't live with themselves if the worst had happened. Does this come down to poor parenting, or a "simple" mistake? You choose.

I for one am just glad David is alright; but have nothing but utter disgust for the parents.

[Momzilla]

And I think, Matthias, that you will be a tad less judgmental when you have children of your own. God bless.

[Matrona]

Wow Matthias, I wonder how fast you'll change your tune if it happened to YOUR child...

Security locks are not infallible and neither are parents. Some are irresponsible and are at fault for their child wandering away. But when a child is abducted, that is NEVER the parents' fault, that's like blaming a woman for getting raped!

[Matthias]

Maybe you're right; I haven't any children yet. But I am sure I will have an eye on them at ALL times, whether it be myself or my wife. As you said, security locks are not infallible, but the parents should be if they are good parents.

Anyway, enough said; I am just pleased he has been found.

[Rilian]

Matthias, think about what's coming out of your mouth before you decide to stand in judgement of others.

[Oblio]

It is also good to examine what comes out of ones own mouth for this reveals the heart. It is the heart that through God's grace we turn towards him. Examine your words and you will see where you need to turn.

[ExOrienteLux]

I think this would a good place to quote Plato:

The wise speak because they have something to say. Fools speak because they have to say something.
I think we all need to hear that, especially me.

His sinful and unworthy servant,
Josh.

[Matthias]

I think what comes out of my mouth. I'm not one to jump into saying things and regretting them. Everything I've said has been thought about.