Humbolt County Sherrif's Department/Facebook
It’s not every day that a missing person search results in a happy ending. Over the weekend sisters Caroline Carrico, age 5, and Leia Carrico, age 8 gained serious media attention after disappearing in the California wilderness. Thankfully, the young girls were found after an incredible 44-hour search.
Humbolt County Sherrif's Department/Facebook
The Carrico sisters went missing after they wandered too far away from home while following a deer trail on Friday, March 1st. While they were lost, it was small clues that helped first responders locate them.
Humbolt County Sherrif's Department/Facebook
The miraculous search was headed by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office with the help of over 210 people from 14 different agencies. The teams were able to track the girls when they found granola bar wrappers and small boot prints in the wilderness.
Humbolt County Sherrif's Department/Facebook
That’s exactly what led Piercy Volunteer Fire search team to their location, which was 1.4 miles from the girl’s home. The boot tracks took them to Richardson Grove State Park where the volunteer team shouted the girl’s names and eventually found them huddled together in a bush.
Humbolt County Sherrif's Department/Facebook
The sisters had 4-H outdoor survival training, which helped them navigate the harsh conditions. While the granola wrappers and pink boot prints led to their rescue, the young girls had to make it out there on their own until then. They decided to stay in one location in the hopes of being found and drank fresh water from huckleberry leaves as they waited.
Humbolt County Sherrif's Department/Facebook
County Sheriff William Honsal spoke at a press conference on Sunday following the rescue. “This was rugged territory, this is an extreme environment and how they were out there for 44 hours is pretty amazing but it shows a resilience of people that actually grew up in this community. These girls definitely have a survival story to tell,” he said.
Humbolt County Sherrif's Department/Facebook
Above are the heroes who brought the Carrico sisters home safe and sound. A special thank you to all of the teams who spent their time looking for the girls. As always, gratitude and respect goes out to all of the first responders who risk their lives to save others.
H/T
