A 6-year-old girl with autism was found safe after spending 73 hours alone in the forests of north-central British Columbia, Canada. Her emotional reunion with her parents moved many to tears.
God watches over His children, even in the darkest times. This story shows us how He protects the vulnerable and brings people together in times of need. It reminds us of the power of prayer and community support during crises.
Oaklynn Schweder went missing from the Burns Lake area on Thursday evening around 6 p.m. Her disappearance triggered one of the largest search operations ever seen in northern B.C. Hundreds of people came out each day to look for her. Over the weekend, between 1,200 and 1,500 volunteers joined the search effort.
Oaklynn, who can’t speak but can mimic words, was found on Sunday evening. She was in a forested area that had been searched before, between her home and the Skin Tyee band office.
Glen Franz, who led a team from Houston Search and Rescue, described how they found her. His team was about to head back after searching for over five hours. They decided to check one last small area they had missed.
In that area, they heard what sounded like a child’s voice. Franz said, “She heard us, and then we started calling back to her, and she was calling back to us, and we just went towards the voice.”
They found Oaklynn in a drainage gully. She was walking towards them, wearing only socks on her feet. One of the volunteers hugged her right away. The team gave her water, warm clothes, and changed her socks.
Oaklynn’s parents, Gail Skin and James Schweder, were overjoyed when they got the news. Skin said she jumped up, screaming, “They found her! They found her!” The parents didn’t wait for the searchers to bring Oaklynn to them. They ran to their daughter as soon as they saw her.
Franz was amazed at Oaklynn’s strength. He said, “There were cold nights. There were rainy nights. It was harsh conditions that she was in for the last few days.” Despite this, Oaklynn was found cold, hungry, and thirsty, but otherwise unhurt.
At the hospital, Oaklynn’s parents said she was starting to act like herself again. Skin shared, “She’s starting to be more herself that we’re recognizing. Her noises and sounds.”
Schweder added that Oaklynn had no major injuries. She was a bit overheated as her body adjusted from survival mode, but there was nothing broken or seriously wrong.
The search for Oaklynn brought together people from all over the province. They used helicopters and drones to help look for her. The Schweder family felt very grateful for all the support they received during this hard time.
Skin said, “We’re in awe, and we’re so amazed and shocked, like just so many emotions, that so many people came together and wanted our baby home just as much as we did.”
Oaklynn might not be able to tell her parents exactly what happened because she can’t speak well. But her parents hope she might share more as she learns new words. For now, they’re just happy to have her back home. They feel their family is complete again with all their children.
God’s hand of protection was clearly over Oaklynn during her ordeal. For a six-year-old to survive alone in the wilderness for three days is nothing short of miraculous.
The forest can be full of dangers – wild animals, steep slopes, deep water, and the risk of hypothermia in cold, wet weather. Yet Oaklynn emerged without major injury.
While we may never know all the details of her experience, we can see God’s answer to the many prayers offered for her safe return. He guided the search team to the right place at the right time, ensuring Oaklynn’s rescue before nightfall on that third day.
This reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is there, protecting and guiding us home.
WATCH: 6-Year-Old Girl Found Safe After Spending 73 Hours Alone in the Forest
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