Two Little Girls & Their Dog Found Safe Near Folsom

When 7 year-old Abigail, 4 year-old Cecilia, and their golden retriever dog were reported missing yesterday (November 28, 2022) afternoon near Folsom, it was “all hands on deck”. Hundreds of concerned and caring neighbors, friends, and first responders turned out. As a result, the girls and their dog was found safe and were reunited with their parents within a few hours.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith reports that the girls had been last seen at approximately 5:00 PM Monday playing in their front yard with their golden retriever on N. Willie Road near Folsom. Sheriff Smith reports that the “outpouring of support and assistance was overwhelming.” The STPSO had drones, ATVs, K9s, a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office helicopter, numerous deputies, and the Louisiana State Police searching the area for the girls and their dog. 

“Sheriff Smith wants to take this moment this morning to thank EVERYONE – those that came out to help search, those who shared the many posts to help get the word out, our fellow agencies who answered our call for help and the people from around the world who prayed they would be found. The outpouring of support and assistance was overwhelming.”

Their mother posted the following on her Facebook page:

Our babies are home safe!! We CANNOT thank everyone enough for all the search forces, support, and prayers. We had an army physically and spiritually standing for our family. Our hearts are so so full of love and gratitude for the immediate support from our community and others areas too. We even had other countries lifting our family up in prayer. 

We had volunteer search crews, ATV’s, drones, helicopters, dogs, cars, and even a 25-person horse crew was prepared to search. They were found deep in the heavy woods and it was DARK. 

Y’all, God is so good. Our 4 year old is pretty shaken (she’s okay though!) but I know the Holy Spirit brought so much peace to our 7 year old. She said she knew they would be found and she knew to just stay put. 

Also, so grateful for our hero Artemis, our golden retreiver. The helicopter first spotted some movement and sent a search crew in their direction. And then Artemis heard people coming and started barking making it much easier to find them. He even growled at the police at first because he was protecting our babies. 

Every highway in the area was lined with hundreds of people to search. Y’all I have hundreds of calls and messages from people asking how they can help and telling me that they’re praying for us. I can’t get to everyone to say thank you. Friends, family, and even pastors from our church just started showing up at our house to help and pray with us. 

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! Thank you EVERYONE! God heard everyone’s prayers, protected our babies, and sent them home safely. 

The love of Jesus is ruling the hearts of the people of this community.