Three-Year-Old Boy Found Alive After He Went Missing In The Woods In North Carolina; Said That A Friendly Bear Kept Him Safe, God Sent A Protector

Left Photo from Breanna Hathaway’s Facebook

A 3-year-old North Carolina boy who disappeared last week said that a bear kept him safe while he was lost in the woods for two days.

Before he went missing, Casey Hathaway was playing in his grandmother’s yard in the town of Ernul, when he wandered away last Tuesday.

Thankfully, after police received reports of a baby crying, they were able to find the boy about a quarter of a mile away, 40 to 50 yards deep into the woods. Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes said that search crews found Casey soaking wet, cold, and tangled in thorn bushes, but was not seriously injured.

Many were confused how the boy had gotten there and how he was left unharmed. On Friday, Chip Hughes pointed out that rescuers had to wade through waist-high water to reach the boy, who stands at 2ft 2in (66cm) tall.

The boy reportedly told police and family members that he was with a friendly bear the entire time. Casey’s aunt, Breanna Hathaway, confirmed on a post on Facebook that her nephew was “healthy, smiling, and talking. He said that he hung out with a bear for two days. God sent him a friend to keep him safe. God is a good God. Miracles do happen.”

Whether the bear was real or imaginary – it is well known that North Carolina woods are home to plenty of black bears.

The family is thankful for the huge support they’ve been receiving and said that they are planning to set up a post office box for those who mentioned they wanted to send the boy stuffed teddy bears.