Joe...
Please, God.
lf Joe's alive, just let me know.
Give me some kind of a sign that my son is not dead.
Did the order for the 30-foot sections get placed with Consolidated?
Yes, on Monday.
Okay. l'm about to finish the correction to the Wadowi plans.
Carl can take care of that. You need to get out of here.
Carl has his hands full with the Cedartown job.
Great, and l promise the place won't fall apart while you're gone.
And your wife's still holding on line two.
Okay, put her through.
Hello.
Don't tell me you're still at the office.
All right, l won't tell you.
Dang it, Randy. You promised you'd help me pack the van.
And we're supposed to pick up Zack and Tucker from school at 1 1 :00.
l know. l'm wrapping it up.
You also promised you weren't gonna go in to work today.
That's what this trip is all about.
Okay, l'm leaving now.
Fine. Bye.
Tater, Cleo! Cut it out.
-Come on. -Daddy's home!
-There he is. -Yes, Daddy.
-Daddy! -Hey, buddy! Hey, how you doing?
-Want to go to the beach? -Yeah, l'm gonna see a shark.
A shark, huh? Big Joe Simpkins, fearless shark hunter.
Okay, l'm a great white. l'm gonna get you. l'm gonna get you.
You got a 25-footer. Good job, buddy. Good job. Give me five.
Big shark's dead.
l'm sorry, okay?
This vacation is supposed to be a chance for you
to spend some time with your family for a change.
-You're not getting off to a very good start. -We haven't left yet.
l'm kidding, okay? You're right.
l thought you were gonna take that dog to the pound for Carl.
-l was. l just haven't had time. -Good doggie.
Well, if he stays here any longer, Joe's never gonna let you take him.
-We don't need another dog. -Go get the cows, doggie.
You got it.
-l go to Pawpaw's. -No.
-l go to Pawpaw's! -No!
Joe, you're staying right here. We're just about to leave.
This is what l've been dealing with all morning.
lt's gotta be the tenth time he's told me he's going to Pawpaw's.
Hey, buddy. You can't go to Pawpaw's right now, okay,
'cause Pawpaw's out working.
There're some bags inside the door that need to be loaded.
-l'm gonna start closing up the house. -Okay.
You should go ahead and buckle him up in the van.
All right.
Come on, buddy. You heard your mama. Let's get in the van.
l ride trike.
All right, well, you're gonna be cooped up in here for a long time, so go ahead.
But stay right here, okay?
-Okay? -Okay, Daddy.
Hey, buddy. You got a license to drive that thing?
He got away. l'm gonna get him.
Get Daddy!
-Watch out! -Hey! You are a crazy driver!
l did it!
What are you doing?
Just shutting down the computer.
No, you're not. You're checking your work email.
Let's not get into this again.
Okay.
l need to go to the bathroom. l'll meet you out there.
Okay.
Joe.
Joe!
-Did Joe come inside with you? -No. You didn't put him in the van?
No, he was just out here riding his trike a minute ago.
Well, he probably headed for your parents'.
-Never done that before. -How would you know?
He followed Zack and Tucker there just last week.
Joe!
l'll check around here. Why don't you check the trail to Pawpaw's?
Okay.
Joseph Simpkins!
You better get in this van if you know what's good for you!
Joe!
Hello.
Hey, is Joe over there with you?
No. ls there a problem?
Well, we were just about to pull out and he disappeared.
He's been telling me all day he wants to go to Pawpaw's.
l figured he headed your way.
No. l'm looking out the back, but all l see is Randy.
All right, well, just keep an eye out for him. l'm gonna keep looking around here.
Okay.
l just told Christal, l haven't seen him.
l'll check around the house. l just hope he's okay.
l'm sure he is, Mama. Probably show up any minute.
-l'm gonna go check Sweet Grass. -Okay.
Joe, if you're hiding from me, you better come out now
or you'll get the whooping you'll never forget.
Joseph Simpkins, if you can hear me, you better answer me!
Joe!
-You find him? -No.
l checked the pond behind Mom and Dad's. l checked the entire Sweet Grass yard.
l don't understand it. He could not have gone that far.
Well, he's probably just hiding from us, thinking this is a game.
That doesn't make any sense. He knew we were about to leave.
Honey, he's two years old. He doesn't do anything that makes sense.
l guess l'll go check with the neighbors, see if he went visiting.
l don't know where else to check right now. l mean, l turned the house upside down.
Yeah, l'll keep checking the fields.
Joe!
Why, hello, Christal. ls there something wrong?
Well, we can't find Joe.
We were just about to leave for vacation, and he's just vanished.
Well, l haven't seen him.
l was thinking about your pool and how he always wants to come swimming.
Oh, goodness! We don't have the cover on it.
Okay. l'm gonna continue up the street
and check to see if anybody else has seen him.
-Will you keep an eye out? -My older boy's home. We'll look around.
l don't want to be a bother.
Don't be silly. He's your son. We need to find him.
Okay. Thank you.
Joe!
-Joe! -Joe! Where are you, Joe?
Joe, can you hear me?
Joe!
Any news yet?
Well, l checked with most of the neighbors
and those who are out are looking for him.
l'll call Larry.
He's with a crew in Cedartown, but he'll want to know what's happening.
l'm gonna go by Miss Grace's place and then head home.
Lord, l just hope that little boy is okay.
You better pray l don't wring his neck when we find him.
Joe!
Carroll County 91 1. Do you have an emergency?
-Yes. -What is the nature of your emergency, sir?
Our son is missing.
-What is your name, sir? -Randy Simpkins. l'm his father.
Are you currently at your residence on 150 Gold Dust Trail?
Yes.
-What is the name and age of your child? -He's a 2-year-old boy.
His name is Joe.
He was playing on our driveway and then he just... He vanished.
And how long has he been missing?
l guess 30 minutes, maybe 45 minutes. We've searched everywhere.
lnside the house, outside the house, the whole area.
Sir, l've already dispatched a deputy to assist you.
Please remain at your home until they arrive.
-They'll be here soon? -Yes, sir. They're on their way.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Getting a little close to the phone lines.
Randy's boy Joe has gone missing back at his place.
l'm gonna head home to have a look.
You want us to come with you?
l appreciate it, but this job has a tight deadline.
You sure? We can just start extra early in the morning.
They'll probably find him before l even get there.
You boys better keep at it.
Sorry l have to leave you like this.
Good luck, boss.
You heard the man. Let's get back to work.
-How long has it been since... -Oh, dear.
This is my wife Christal.
-Hi, l'm Sergeant Bert Smith. -Hi.
-l understand your boy is missing. -That's right.
Where did you last see him?
-Well, l already told you... -l need to hear it from her, sir.
-Do you mind stepping over here? -Okay.
When did you last see him?
Sir, l apologize, but what did you say your name was again?
Division Chief Benefield, Carroll County Fire Rescue.
But you can call me Bud.
Okay, Bud, why is he questioning my wife like that?
-l already gave him all the same info. -Nothing to worry about.
Just want to maybe see if she remembers anything that you might have missed.
-Mind if we have a look inside? -No, of course not.
Now, you've checked the house thoroughly?
Several times.
All right. Was your son in trouble?
Had you had an argument with him or anything like that?
No, no. He was excited to go on the trip.
No reason for him to be afraid. He wasn't being punished or anything?
No, sir. No.
Excuse us a moment.
-What are you thinking? -Well, everything seems to check out to me.
Stories match. Nice home, well-maintained. Van loaded for vacation, just like they said.
And they are not frequent flyers with your department or anything like that?
No. No, this is the first time l've ever been here.
Fact is, l understand the sheriff knows the family.
This is gonna be a bear of a search. There's lot of woods and brush out here.
-And it's gonna take a lot of manpower. -Yeah. Guess we better get to it.
ls there something wrong? l mean, are we suspects or something?
No, ma'am. Not at all.
We just have to be certain that before we call the cavalry
that we understand the situation.
You mean, if we're telling the truth?
Not every call we get is what it appears to be,
especially when children are involved. Hope you understand.
Yeah, we do understand.
Have you seen any unusual vehicles in the area lately, or any strangers?
You don't think somebody grabbed him, do you?
No, l doubt it. You're pretty isolated out here and all.
lt'd be hard for someone to do it and not be seen. But it has happened.
Anyone you know holding a grudge against you?
A disgruntled employee or a family member?
No, none l can think of.
Sergeant Smith and l are gonna step outside
and make some calls for additional manpower and resources.
Okay? Once they're on their way,
l need to go over more details with the two of you.
lf you have a recent photo of your son, it'd be a big help.
Yeah, sure.
l'd like the two of you to show me on a map where you've looked,
and where you think he might have gone.
-Okay. -All right? And look, don't worry too much.
He'll probably come wandering up any minute,
but if he doesn't, we're gonna have a lot of people looking for him real soon.
-Okay? -Thank you.
Thank you.
-Hello. -Hello, Pastor Jerry. This is Mary Simpkins.
-Hello, Mary. What can l do for you? -Well, my grandson Joe,
Randy and Christal's baby boy, has disappeared.
We're looking all over for him. The police are here and everything.
Well, my goodness, Mary.
You don't think that someone took off with him, do you?
l don't know. l think he just wandered off.
There's so many lakes and ponds around here and lots of woods.
And he's never just walked off like this before, so...
l understand. lt's okay, Mary.
Well, l was hoping that we might get a prayer chain started.
l think that'd be a good idea.
l was making some calls, but there's a lot of names, and l...
l'll get some help. Do they need anybody to help search?
-l think so. -We'll get some volunteers, too.
-Thank you. -Mary, it's gonna be okay.
God will be right here. And remember, he's with Joe, too.
All units should bring ATVs if available.
Dispatch is clear, 803. 803 is Gold Dust Command.
-Copy, 803 is Gold Dust Command. -Randy.
Randy, hang on.
l need you over here for a minute.
Yeah.
Look, l need you to stay here for right now.
Why? l'm just standing around. l should be out looking for my son.
l understand, but we have a lot of professional searchers headed our way,
and we've gotta have a game plan when they get here.
Plus, l need you here to help me paint a picture of this area
so we can get them in the field as quickly as possible.
Okay, well, l could've been doing that the last 15 minutes.
lf we had, then they wouldn't be on their way right now.
Plus, l had to call the state emergency management office
to request the resources that are gonna take the longest to get,
like a helicopter, so we could have it here where it'll do us some good.
How is it going?
DNR says they can have one in 45, but their chopper's not FLlR-equipped.
Now, our State Patrol friend over there says he's got one that's FLlR-equipped,
-but it doesn't have an ETA. -FLlR?
lt is a forward-looking infrared camera.
lt can detect objects like a heated body through the trees.
That's not gonna be much good on a hot day like this.
Well, maybe not, but if we get into the night, it will.
Plus, with all the foliage out here,
it's gonna be hard for a chopper to have any kind of vision anyway.
lt's better than not having one.
Bud, chopper will be on site in an hour.
-Tell them to head this way. -Okay.
What about the K9 units?
Well, they're working on drug interdiction up in Meriwether.
ETA is about an hour.
We can't wait that long to get the search teams in the field.
What's the problem?
Normally, you want the dogs to get into the field first.
Once the search teams get out there, they can confuse the scent.
lt's better late than never. Let's just get them here. All right?
-Randy. -Yes.
Show me where you looked and what neighbors you checked with.
ls there a helicopter there yet? You can never tell with the state agencies
how long it'll take to get one there, if at all.
Tell Christal l'll be there as soon as possible.
Thanks, dear.
ls everything okay?
The 2-year-old son
of my dear friends Randy and Christal Simpkins has disappeared.
Oh, God, that's awful.
lt's gonna be very difficult terrain to search. A helicopter is their best chance.
You think the Atlanta news station will send one of theirs?
They won't unless they assign a reporter to cover the story.
And that would be the hard part,
to convince them that this is a story they need to cover.
We're just too far outside Atlanta to get much attention.
Okay, do you still have your contacts at Channel 6?
l know you did some presidential debate analysis for them once.
Yes.
Yes, l'm sure l can get one of the producers on the phone.
Okay, we have interns at all the network affiliates.
l can call one of them
and see if they can put me in touch with their story assignment editor.
Bless you, Teresa.
lf you get a reporter on the phone, transfer it to my office,
-and don't take no for an answer. -No. Don't worry, l won't.
Okay.
Okay, l'm on my way over. Thank you, Mary.
Christal Simpkins' little one has gone missing.
There's a search on at their place.
-l'm going over to help. -l want to go, too.
-Okay, lock the doors. We're closing up. -Okay, l understand. We're going.
l think you're the third person to do that. l was the first.
Better safe than sorry.
-Does Joe like to hide? -No.
Not unless he's playing hide and seek with his brothers, and they weren't here.
Any little hideaway places he likes to take naps?
And l checked them all. l mean, several times. lt's...
l've already answered all of these questions.
Everybody's asking me the same things over and over again.
l don't understand why y'all don't just get out there and find my son.
l understand your frustration, Mrs. Simpkins,
but right now, the more information we get the better.
And maybe you'll think of something new after being asked a hundred times.
Maybe l'll hear something the other deputies didn't.
Sheriff Reeves.
-These are the parents. -There's no need, Deputy.
Our families go way back.
-Randy, Christal. -Hey.
Guess you all figured my people needed something to do today, huh?
l didn't. But l guess my son did.
-lt's Joe that's missing? -That's right.
Okay. Well, l'm gonna head on over, check what the plan is.
And then l'll come back and let you know what's what.
-Thanks, Tony. -Yeah.
We'll find him for you, Christal. Don't you worry.
Thank you.
Deputy.
All right, Deputy, l want you to stay with the family and keep them informed...
How embarrassing. Our Christmas lights are still up.
That's what you're worried about right now?
No, that's not what l'm worried about right now.
What l'm worried about is our son,
who would be here right now if you'd done what l asked.
What are you talking about?
l told you to put him in the van.
But you don't ever do anything l say.
Like taking down the Christmas lights.
Well, l'm sorry, okay? Somebody has to work around here.
Don't even start.
That's just your excuse to get away from the really hard work around here.
You think l don't work hard? That's all l ever do.
So l can put food on the table, clothes on our kids,
and a roof over our head.
l know you work hard. Just not at what really matters.
Providing for my family is not what really matters?
Do you think your boys are gonna thank you when they grow up
for all the work you did?
l'm gonna go find our son.
Hey.
Here's your little Joe.
Hey, sweetie. You gonna talk to us?
Yeah.
Can you give me a smile?
Okay, let's go through it again.
ls there any way that he might have, l don't know, gone to visit some neighbor?
Ma'am, l'm sorry. Can l help you?
l'm a friend of the family.
-What's your name? -l'm Carol Fulton.
Okay, hang on just one second.
-l'm Christal's friend. -Okay, follow them up.
Guys, can l help you?
-All right, Chief. -He is on his way now.
-How you doing, Tony? -Gary.
Where are we at?
Well, l'm ready to get these boys in the field and find that kid.
Let's do it.
Oh, Lord. Christal, come here.
-l'm such a failure. -No, no, you're not.
l lost my son. What kind of mother loses her son?
lt's not your fault.
Children wander off all the time.
Mine have several times.
But l can't find him, Carol. He's just vanished.
l mean, what if l never see him again?
-l just don't think l can do this. -Yes, you can.
Because God is right here with you,
and he is out there watching over Little Joe,
and he is going to bring him back home safe to you.
-Do you really think so? -Yes, l do.
lf we ask for his help. Let's do that right now, okay?
Dear Lord, please be with Little Joe, wherever he is.
Please be with these brave men who have come to help.
And please be with Christal and Randy right now,
and bring them comfort and strength.
We ask this in your name, amen.
Amen.
Thank you. You're right.
He is here with us. Same with Joe.
-Of course he is. -l know.
Thank you, Carol.
Let's do it.
All right, gather around, everyone. Come on in.
Listen up.
We're ready to divide you into teams to get you in the field.
The description of the boy you're searching for, Joseph Simpkins,
is posted here at command post, along with a current photo.
Now, we have divided the search area into sections.
Each team will be responsible for an assigned section.
Our team leaders will check back here every 20 minutes with PAR.
Now, there are several lakes and ponds out there, and there is a manure pit, here.
Look for any signs of disturbance, footprints and such
along the perimeter of any and every body of water, no matter how small.
-You got that? -Yes, sir.
Tony.
All right, most of you all know each other.
You know that our two departments have always worked well together,
but today we're one department. You got me?
That said,
it's possible we could find a crime scene out there today.
l hope to God that doesn't happen, but if it does,
first thing l want you to do is make certain that the boy is in fact dead.
Back away from the scene, cordon off the area,
and report into us using police code only.
Fire Rescue's gonna relinquish the scene.
The Sheriff's Department and State Patrol takes over.
Any questions?
-No, sir. -No, sir.
Bud's gonna give you your assignments. Good luck.
Hey, guys. Sheriff already has a perimeter established,
with some of his deputies out there, okay?
Joe.
Joseph, can you hear me?
Joe!
Need help?
l think it'd be best... lt's my husband. Excuse me.
Mary, he's still missing?
l was headed down to the pits where we dumped the lake debris,
and they're filled with water.
l'd been meaning to fill those things in. l just hadn't had the time.
Well, l've been making some calls.
Lots of people have been coming by to help search.
Plus, the sheriff's over at Randy and Christal's.
l'm gonna have a look around.
lf you see anything suspicious in those pits, l'll get the pump.
What about the bridge on top? You guys take a look up there?
We figured if you're gonna take the day off, we would, too.
l appreciate that, boys. l truly do.
How can we help?
Just spread out and start looking.
Don't worry, we're gonna find him. All right, boss?
Okay, Team Three, l want you to head east on Gold Dust Trail. All right?
l want you to clear every house up to this point here.
Check crawlspaces, storage sheds, everything.
Let me know when the area's been cleared. Let's go.
-All right. -All right.
Chief, chopper's on site.
This is Deputy Director Baskins. We are on site.
Requesting where you would like us to begin the search.
Stand by.
Have them do a one-mile radius survey for any areas of interest
that might warrant an investigation by a ground crew, okay?
K9 team's arrived, but they say, with everybody out here, they can't deploy.
Told them to stand by and we'll just let them know if we find a fresh place
-to search that hasn't been trampled. -You better listen to me.
-Listen, mister... -Sergeant Bert Smith.
Yeah, whatever. Look, l'm Randy's cousin.
His mom called me to help look for Little Joe. That is what l'm gonna do.
And l done told you, only search and rescue personnel out in the fields.
Well, l don't see that many of them out there, frankly.
And it seems to me that if you really want to find the boy,
you'd accept any help you could.
How do l know you're related to the family?
That you just won't go out there and make matters worse?
Like get lost or hurt or trample over clues, or who knows what else?
Fact is, l got my orders, sir, and you ain't going anywhere
except right back down that driveway.
What l'm gonna do is go through that gate,
and if you don't like it, then you can shoot me.
-Deputy Smith, over here. -Sheriff wants a word with me.
l'll tell him how you feel, and l'll see what l can do.
But you've got to agree that you're gonna stay right here while l do, okay?
-What's going on, Bert? -Sir, we got a little trouble brewing.
Now we're getting flooded with folks that l don't even know
that want to help in the search.
Now, we're trying to be polite, but they ain't taking no for an answer.
We already got some of them out there on their own.
And l just got a report there's folks parking over at the Sweet Grass farm
-and searching on their own. -All this could get out of hand real quick.
Problem is we don't know who half them folks are.
And every now and then you get some whacko showing up,
offering to search for a missing kid, who doesn't have the purest of intentions.
Well, if we don't let them help, things could get real ugly.
We'd be spending just as much time or manpower
trying to get them to stop searching.
And Randy and Christal are gonna wonder why we're turning away help.
Well, it is their child.
l say we express our concerns to them and see what they think.
Please, God.
lt's probably our fault.
My mother-in-law's been on the phone with her church and everyone else she knows.
-Believe me, that's a lot of people. -lt looks like they all showed up.
What do you want us to do, Mrs. Simpkins?
l think they're the answer to a lot of prayers.
All right. Have your men bring them to the command post.
We'll start a sign-up sheet for those who want to search.
We'll integrate them with our men. That way we keep an eye on them.
Deputy, send somebody over to that farm
and round up everybody over there who's searching on their own.
Tell them if they want to search with us, they gotta sign in here first.
Yes, sir.
Thank you.
Joe!
Let's see if we can hit the top of the grain elevator.
-Yeah, you can, Joe. Go ahead. -l can.
-Pretty good. -That was nothing. Watch this.
This is Randy.
-Randy, a few papers are missing. -No, that bid went in on Thursday.
-My turn, my turn. Daddy, watch! -l can't find them.
Well, l know it for a fact because l delivered it myself.
-Daddy, watch. -Joe, Joe, stop it, okay? l'm on the phone.
What are we gonna do?
All right, you know what? l got a copy in the office, okay?
Give me a few minutes and l'll fax it over to you.
Thanks for letting me know. You're a lifesaver.
Sorry, guys. Joe, l'll come back and watch you in a minute.
Let's go home.
Joe!
Joey!
Joe!
-Joe! -Joe!
Joe!
Sir, if you'd like to help with the search,
l'm gonna need you to sign in at the command post.
-Hey, this is Joe's dad. You okay, Randy? -Yeah.
l'm sorry, l didn't know.
No, no problem. l'm just... l'm very thankful that you're all here.
You're welcome to join us.
No, sir. l'm gonna head back to the house.
You're sure? Let's continue our grid search.
lt's gonna be okay, Randy. We're here for you, and for Joe.
Joe.
Joe!
Joe?
Joe! Joe!
Joe!
Please...
Joe...
Please, God, don't take my son. Please don't take my son.
l know l haven't been there. l know l haven't spent enough time with him.
Please give me another chance to be a better...
All right, Joe!
Give me another chance.
Joe Simpkins drops back! He throws! Touchdown!
Number seven, Joe Simpkins, breaks open for an easy first down!
l now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Here's your grandson.
Yeah. Yeah!
Please, God.
lf Joe's alive, just let me know.
Give me some kind of a sign that my son is not dead.
Can you give me that 9 and 6l10ths box-end?
And the three-quarter box-end?
-Terry. -Thank you, Mama. Find everything okay?
Yes, but l heard the worst thing while l was gone.
Little Joe is missing over at the Sweet Grass farm.
-What was that, Mama? -The youngest Simpkins boy is missing.
They must have half the county over there looking for him.
But what was that about Joe?
That's the boy's name. Joe Simpkins.
Well, l guess we better get over there and find him.
You sure, Daddy? You just had heart surgery two months ago.
-l'm well enough. -All right, then let's go.
Ed, l know you want to help. l do, too,
but they've got plenty over there, believe me.
-Sheriff, Fire, State Patrol... -They can use a couple more.
-Make that three. -All right.
Yeah, it's...
Christal. Hi, l'm Joy, from the church in Whitesburg.
-We've come to help find your boy. -How did you even know?
Well, your preacher called our preacher,
and we decided to get a group up and come on over.
-Thank you. -What can we do?
Can you excuse me?
-Hey. -Mama!
-You didn't have to. -lt was no problem at all.
Believe it or not, they closed school early.
When Principal Bowler found out about Joe,
he told us teachers he was headed here, and invited us to come with him.
And l knew you were gonna be a little too busy to pick up your boys.
-Yes. Thank you so much. -ls Joe okay?
You know your brother.
Little Joe is just playing a game of hide and seek with everyone.
lt's a very big game. Don't worry, we're gonna find him.
He's dead.
Hey. Don't say that. Your brother is not dead.
ls so.
lt's not funny, okay? l don't want to hear you say such a thing.
Okay.
l did not realize there would be so much activity.
So, if you'd like, l'll take the boys to my place until things quiet down.
That would be wonderful. You sure you don't mind?
Not at all.
Okay, guys, you want to go to Mrs. Emma Joe's place for a little while?
-No, l want to stay with you. -Does she have video games?
-l do, for when my grandkids visit. -All right!
l need you to be a big boy and go take care of your brother, okay?
l love you. You, too, you little knucklehead.
-Come on. -l'll call you as soon as l know something.
How you holding up there?
-Gold Dust Command, this is 401 . -Go ahead, 401.
We've cleared all the houses here on Gold Dust Trail.
Awaiting further instructions.
Roger, 401 . Have your men head north across the street.
Let's clear the pine grove all the way up to the Ward property. Over.
That's the last of the houses.
Chopper's gonna check the swamp to the west. Nothing yet.
We got additional personnel on its way in. They're bringing two or three ATVs.
-That'll help. -Gold Dust, come in.
This is Team Two, over.
-Team Two, this is Gold Dust. -Hold on a sec.
Yeah, this is Team Two. We have started...
-Hey. Where you been? -Out looking.
Yeah. l understand what you're feeling, Randy, but l'm gonna need you here.
You got information that we might need. lt could be crucial.
-Okay. -You okay?
-l'm fine. -Yeah.
All right, listen to me. l'm gonna need you to buck up, son.
Buck up?
How do l do that, Tony?
My head is filled with all these images of my son floating face down in a pond,
or suffocating at the bottom of a well, calling to me for help, and l'm not there.
l get it, Randy, l do.
But if these people think you've given up, they might just do the same thing.
They need you to be strong right now. Your son needs you to be strong.
Do you hear me? Even if you gotta fake it, you gotta show that you got hope.
Hell, man, we still got several hours of good sunlight left,
which means we got a good shot of finding your boy.
l hear you, Tony. Thanks.
Good man. Let's go.
Your doctor would kill you if he saw you walking on that torn Achilles.
-How's she holding up? -See for yourself.
l thought she'd be a wreck.
You coached her in softball. You know how tough she is.
l am so glad you're here.
l come bringing good news.
We've got reporters from Channel 6 and 1 1 on their way here now,
and they're bringing the helicopters.
-We're gonna be on the news? -lt's a good thing.
More eyes in the sky.
lt'll also get the word out, and more people will keep an eye open.
l know, you're right. That's wonderful. Thank you.
l just feel like such a terrible mom.
Nothing can be further from the truth, and everybody here knows that.
Thank you, really.
l told you. There must be a couple of hundred people out here.
Come on up.
Let us off here.
l'll see if there's anything l can do up at the house.
Okay.
-Please be careful. -Okay.
Sir. Can we give you a hand?
Sure. Just checking for signs a boy might have fallen in.
Footprints, that kind of thing.
How's it going so far?
l'm concerned that we haven't found him yet.
When a child this age goes missing, the first three hours are crucial.
The odds of finding him alive after that drop considerably.
-How many hours has he been missing? -Just over four.
l hate to say this, but with all the ponds and streams and swamps and old wells
we got around here, l got a bad feeling that he's laying on the bottom of one of them.
You holding up?
l was just thinking about the coyote den l just spotted in the woods
a couple of weeks back.
Rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, scorpions, everything else.
l used to think this place was so beautiful. God's country.
Doesn't feel that way today.
Hey, Tater.
-How you doing, buddy? -Joe get along with your dog?
Yeah. Well, not as well as with Cleo, our other dog. Well...
Not our other dog. We're keeping her for a friend.
Was supposed to take her to the pound, but Joe and that dog get along so well,
-l don't think l'm gonna be able to. -Where's the dog now?
Come to think of it, l haven't seen the dog
since Joe disappeared, and she was with him right before he did.
-You think the dog is with him? -lt's a possibility.
Command to all units. Be advised the subject was last seen
with a medium-sized black dog, Labrador mix.
Answers to the name of Cleo. That's Charles Lincoln Edward Ocean.
lf you see the subject or the dog, report to the command post immediately. Out.
Check with that dog's previous owner. Make sure he hasn't wandered on back.
Listen to your team leader. Watch your footing.
We got four or five groups already out there,
and they're headed back up this way.
We're gonna start going from Oak Grove Road,
and we're gonna clear all the way up of the area in the northwest. All right?
Now, a team searched that area a couple of hours ago.
There's a thousand places for him to hide. Could have easily been missed.
All right? Report in every 20 minutes. Good luck.
Right this way.
-Hey, can we join you? Me and my daddy? -ls he up to it?
Yeah, he'll walk you into the ground.
Sure.
Everybody, let's spread out about five feet and start combing the area.
-Okay. -Okay.
-Hello? -Mary?
-Hi, Sally. -l'm just calling to see if there's any word.
Not yet, l'm afraid.
l just want to let you know we have a huge prayer chain going for Little Joe.
l think every church in the state has one going.
-That... That's just... -Are you okay?
Yeah. l just don't think... l guess my brain isn't functioning properly.
You know, l read something recently about possums and the way they play dead
when they feel threatened. Well, they don't really play dead at all.
Their little brains just freeze up with fear and shut down.
l think that's how l feel right now.
You just hang in there, Mary, and just try to feel all the love and support
-that's coming your way, okay? -Thank you.
Hey, Professor. We went ahead and cleared out an area
for your media vehicles.
Thank you, Sheriff. l've got another question.
l noticed some of your K9 units are here,
and l'm told none of the dogs are in the field.
-Yes, sir, that's correct. -Well, why is that?
lt's not like you see in the movies, Chester.
Police dogs aren't scent-specific. They can't just pick up one person's scent
and track it in a crowd. With all the searchers we got in the field,
it's just a waste of time to deploy them.
l see. lt's a real shame.
What about that woman up in Polk County?
-Tracy Sargent? -Yeah.
l know her, but my K9 officers doubt her dogs can do anything our dogs can't.
Don't you think it's worth a try?
l mean, it might make Christal feel that more is being done, if you understand.
lf you think it'll help, l'll be happy to give her a call.
-Thank you. -The media has arrived.
Chester Gibson. Thank you so much for coming.
lt's our pleasure, Mr. Gibson. l just hope we can help. Now, where can we set up?
-The sheriff has got a place right up here. -There? Okay.
Command post is right up here.
You can get a briefing from Chief Thomas from Fire Rescue and Sheriff Reeves,
and l'll see if the family is up to granting an interview as well.
-Good. l'd like to do that as soon as l can. -Of course.
Hey, Joe!
Joe!
Joe, we're here!
-What you thinking, Daddy? -Come out if you can hear us!
-l'm thinking we ought to head this way. -Joe!
Well, these guys are moving too slow. l think we can do better on our own.
Let's go.
Joe, you out here?
Currently we have eight search teams in the field,
plus numerous officers on ATVs.
ln fact, we have so many searchers,
the American Red Cross set up an aid station
to provide food and water for everybody.
Well, it also looks like you have a large number of community volunteers.
ls it common that so many people would turn out like this
to help look for a missing child?
No. No, l've never seen anything like it before in my life.
As a professional, l'm concerned
about the number of untrained searchers in the field, but as a human being...
As a human being, it kind of restores your faith in the goodness of people,
if you know what l mean. That's all, thank you.
Yeah, l got it.
-Joe! -Joe, can you hear me? Joe!
Joe?
Joe!
Listen, l don't want you working at the store, Joe.
lf you're not in class, l want you to be studying
or socializing with your classmates.
l just thought Danny could use a hand today.
-l can always use the extra money. -Don't worry about the money.
There'll be plenty of time later to worry about money, believe me.
l just don't want to be a burden on the family.
You're not. Sylvia and l are very proud of you, Joe.
We want you to enjoy these years.
You worked the entire time you was in high school, remember?
Thank you.
Where are you, Joe?
-What's that, Daddy? -Nothing.
Hey, l appreciate you running that charger back to the house, little Brother.
l gotta get. Lockheed doesn't like their supervisors to be late.
Say, they're not really gonna let you build planes people are gonna fly in, are they?
-You rascal. -Come on, big man.
All right, what you got?
Oh, no! Who's the old man now, boy? l'll see you in the morning.
All right. See you at home.
See you, Ed!
-Get in the car! -All right, let's go!
You're thinking about your little brother, aren't you?
Maybe a little. A little.
But l was also thinking about where l'd be if l was a boy.
Where l'd go.
When l was little, l used to play back there.
Round there, where the four farms come together.
lt was a lifetime ago, though.
Hasn't changed that much. Let's go check it out.
All right, let's go.
-Copy. Stand by. -Copy that. Standing by.
The team has found some marks at the edge of a pond in area four.
The locals call it Grace Lake.
That area was searched earlier. They reported nothing.
Well, it's possible the previous team made the marks.
Or they missed them.
l have a dive team ready to go.
lt's the first lead we've had all day. Go ahead and deploy them.
-Better do it while there's still light. -Bud, look. Be discreet.
Have them access the pond from the side and use a secure radio channel.
lf they find out that they're dragging the pond...
Sheriff, chopper needs to return to base
-to refuel. -Send them.
Well, my station has given me clearance from our chopper to assist in the search.
Well, there you go, Sheriff. Now you got another helicopter.
Well, l'm gonna need to get a deputy onboard to coordinate the search.
Bert, you know the area.
Now, you want me to cram myself into one of those flying contraptions?
-lt's for a good cause. -Yeah, l guess you got a point.
l hope that thing's got a barf bag.
Be careful what you shoot out there.
l've done almost a dozen of these searches and they never have a happy ending.
Got it. No close-ups of the 2-year-old floating face down on the 5:00.
Yeah. At least no close-ups.
-Hey, l'm Jack Reese. -Hello.
Sergeant Deputy Bert Smith, Carroll County Sheriff's Department.
You keep this thing nice and level, and you and l'll get along just fine.
-Watch that hook. -Got it.
Bud, we've only got about an hour of light left.
Let's recall a couple of teams and get them equipped for night ops.
Team Two and Team Five, return to Gold Dust Command.
Repeat. Return to Gold Dust Command.
l don't understand. Why are they recalling the search teams?
-We haven't even found him yet. -Don't worry, it's routine.
They'll be redeployed.
l am worried. l'm worried to death.
l mean, why can't they find him with all these people?
My little boy is about to be out in the dark without his mama and...
Poor thing. l think we need to just give her a second.
-You think he could be in there? -When l was a kid, l played in these woods.
How could he have gotten past this fence? l mean, this bottom wire is electrified.
Why would he even try?
We've been looking in places that already have been searched since we got here,
-but nobody's looking in there. -Yeah, for a reason.
Yeah, well...
Hell, it's worth a try.
Let's spread out when we get in there, okay?
All right.
Christal?
-This is Tracy Sargent, her dog, Cinco. -Hey, thank you for coming.
Miss Sargent figures our best shot here is to bring Cinco
into where Joe's scent was the freshest. Maybe his room.
-lf that's okay. -Of course.
Good luck.
Cinco. Check it.
Very good.
Mama, look! Mama, look!
-Joe. -l'm Blue Ranger.
Good job! How about Blue Ranger put on his PJs?
-Yeah! -Yeah! That's a good idea.
-Joe? -l'm okay!
All right, you're okay. Come here to me, you rascal.
l think it's time for a tickle war.
Let's see if you're ticklish right there.
Check it.
Very good. Check over here.
Check here.
l don't know if Christal can take much more,
and l feel it will kill her if l tell her what l think l have to.
l understand.
l asked Sheriff Reeves that, if worst comes to worst,
if they find Joe and he's...
That l'd be the one to bring that news to Christal and Randy.
And for some reason, l think that that time is coming very soon.
l just feel it.
-Randy, any news yet? -No, not yet, Mama.
lt's your dad.
What's wrong?
l want to get the pumps and start draining those pits by our pond.
-But l checked them. -So did l. lt don't matter.
He could have fallen in, got trapped underneath the surface,
and never left a trace.
Most likely, he was headed over to our place,
and we know he never made it. And those pits
are on the way.
Daddy!
-Yeah? -Found a coyote's den, but it's abandoned.
You okay?
Fine.
Look, we been at this a while now. What you say we head on back?
-l don't want you to overdo it in here. -Let's just go another ten feet or so.
Okay. Go easy.
Sylvia.
-How is he? -l'm waiting to hear from Dr. Poss.
All they've told me is that he was in a car crash.
Dan said he was running something to the house...
A battery charger. l asked him to do it.
lt's not your fault.
Yeah.
Oh, God! Please, Lord, let our Joseph be all right.
Be thy will, God bless you.
l'm so sorry, but there was nothing that we could do.
He broke his neck when he was thrown free from the car,
and he died before they could get him here.
lt was probably instantaneous.
No suffering, if that's any consolation.
No, he didn't...
-No. -No!
l'm coming for you, Joe. Coming for you.
What's that?
lt's a dog. A black dog, just like the one in the description.
-l lost it. -Hang on.
Anything?
l can't see a dang thing. l'm calling in the ground crew.
Gold Dust Command, we have spotted a black dog
in the tree-line matching the description.
Two miles to the north, northwest. Request ground crews.
-Copy. Two miles north, northwest. -They found the dog? That's great.
Can l tag along when you tell the family?
Let's hold off on that for a minute, all right?
That dog's gonna stick with the boy whether he's alive or dead.
Let us find out which it is first.
l've got something.
l got movement in the tree-line, directly north of our position.
Copy, aerial unit. We're converging on your position.
l got the boy. He's coming out.
That don't look like...
Command, it's a false alarm.
lt was the wrong dog and a couple of boys with a BB gun.
-We'll continue our search pattern. -Copy that.
-Sarge. -Thanks.
We should go ahead and recall everybody.
Give them a chance to get back here before dark.
You know, we just lost our best chance of finding that boy.
l know that, Tony.
Once we're into night ops, it goes from finding a needle in a haystack
to finding a needle in a stack of needles.
803 to all teams, return to Gold Dust Command
to await further instruction for night ops. Repeat, 803 to all teams,
return to Gold Dust Command.
Hey, Daddy!
We should head back before it gets too dark in here.
Okay.
Stay where you are, l'll come to you.
Joe!
Terry, l found him!
Hey, Joe. l bet you like tractors, don't you? Would you like to go ride in one?
Would you like to go see your mommy? Come on! Come on!
Oh, thank you, Lord! Thank you!
Thank you.
Well, l'll be. Hallelujah. You want me to carry him out of here?
Good boy! Yeah. Yeah! That's where we're going.
Hey, what's going on?
We found him. He's alive.
Praise Jesus.
Thanks again.
-Go on, Randy. God bless you! -Give me a hug!
-He'll be with the family soon. -Good job, great work.
Can you see them?
-ls that him? -Yes. See the ATV?
You okay? You okay?
Thanks, man, thank you so much.
l'll never forget you.
-Thank you! -You're welcome.
Ride Pawpaw's bike!
No, baby, you can't ride Pawpaw's bike right now.
Ride Pawpaw's bike!
No, no, no, Joe. l'm not letting you go anywhere, okay?
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Thank you so much.
l just... l want to thank God for watching over our boy today,
-and for Ed Walker and his son Terry. -Moo cow!
What was that, young man? You said something about moo cows?
Moo cows.
He was trying to shoot the moo cows. That's how he got lost.
She's a really good dog. She stayed with him the whole day.
l guess we can't take her to the pound now, huh?
l think it's over here. Look out. Look out. Just for you! All right!
Fireman Joe!
You guys, this is Ed. This is Ed.
This is the gentleman right here. This is his son Terry.
-Terry. -Thank you so much.
-Thank you for finding my brother. -You're welcome.
You're welcome, buddy, both of you.
-Y'all have a good night. -Bye.
l'll call you tomorrow.
-See you, Bud. -See you later.
Thank you again.
-You okay? -l can't believe he's back.
l was convinced we lost him, that l lost him.
There's something l want to tell you,
-but l want to tell him, too. -Okay.
-Will you pray with me? -Of course.
Dear Lord, thank you for returning Joe to us,
and for giving me a second chance to be a better father
and a husband.
More, l feel like you grabbed me and slapped me
and showed me what's important in life,
and l promise, from now on, to put you and my family
first in my heart and actions,
and to find a way to somehow give back
to all those who helped us today.
l'm so overwhelmed by your love,
and so grateful to you.
Thank you for giving me a chance to see all that.
For giving me such a wonderful family,
and wife.
-ln Jesus' name, amen. -Amen.
-l love you. -l love you.
Man.
l could use a vacation.
You still want to go?
-Yeah, don't you? -Yes.
Suppose we gotta get a good night's sleep first.
l don't know about you, but l couldn't sleep right now if l tried.
Me neither.
Well, the van is still packed.
l am sorry, Cleo. You can't come with us, girl.
You're gonna have to stay here.
Mawmaw and Pawpaw will take real good care of you.
Okay, come on. Come on! Come on, Cleo!