Toddlers survive night in the woods

Posted by Donovan Quintero | Oct 29, 2015 | News |

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Navajo police officer Chris Holgate, left, watches his partner Philbert Toddy become emotional after the successful search for two young brothers early Wednesday morning in Besbetoh, Ariz.

BÉÉSHBITÓ, Ariz.

Let me tell you a great and very true story.

It’s of two brothers, ages 3 and 4, who get lost and eventually spend a night in the mean woods of Bééshbitó, Ariz., in below-freezing temperatures, and  fighting off zombies from under a tree.

After covering a game at the Beehołdzil Events Center on Tuesday night, I got home around 10:30 p.m. I received word shortly after getting home that two young boys went missing. As I do anytime news breaks, I immediately went into “journalist mode” and made some calls and took off.

An hour and a half later, I arrive in the isolated area where the two were last seen, motivated to get a story and, most importantly, motivated to help find the boys. At the site, there were police and search and rescue teams all in full force.

I jump out my truck and grab my cameras and flashlight and head out.

From 2 to 5:30 a.m., police and the search party spread out. A couple of times, they come to a dead end with jumbles of tire tracks and unrecognizable footprints. Other footprints are followed by coyote paw prints, which worries searchers.

I quietly photograph the events taking place before my eyes as I follow the police. In the back of my mind, I pray that I will see them come rushing out of from the dark, cold night. My prayer goes unanswered. I push on quietly following the real heroes of the hour — the Navajo police — as they walk along the dirt road and sagebrush. The boys’ family patiently waits throughout the night, anxious for any news.