Mother says “Thank You”
On October 27 I, as a mother, had the worst nightmare, my 3 1/2 year old son
disappeared. We live out in the country where there are a lot of woods. He was here
one minute and gone the next. I yelled and yelled but got no answer. Then
approximately 300 people came to help us look. It took a couple of hours but he found
his way to a house and they called the police.
The ladies at the house doctored his cuts and gave him something to drink. The house
was the H.W. True residence and I am so glad and appreciative that they helped my little
boy. Several departments came to help locate him I am not sure of who all came but I do
know Rhea County Rescue, Pine Grove Fire Department, Wolf Creek Fire Department,
Spring City Fire Department, Mike Neal with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department,
Officers Rocky Hill, B.J. Johnson and Mike Owensby and many friends, family and
neighbors. I am sure I have not given all the people who were looking the recognition
they deserve.
This was a terrible ordeal for my fiancee’ and myself as well as all the members of
my family. I am so thankful that their are people in this county that are willing to lend a
hand when they know someone is in danger.
I would like to make a comment to Sheriff Neal Leon Sneed, this is our sheriff to
whom the citizens of Rhea County have entrusted their lives and the lives of their
children. Mr. Sneed my little boys father did not have to depend on you for a ride to the
house where he had been located. Mr. Robert Dillard was kind enough, even though he
was probably reprimanded by you, to give him a ride to be able to put his arms around
his son. Mr. Sneed I hope that the back seat of tomatoes that you were so adamant to
protect where gotten home safely.
Again, myself and Michael Orick would like to thank everyone who came to help.
We thank God everyday for our little boy and for those who prayed for us and with us
while we waited.
Thank you,
Lisa True Ellis
Michael “Mickey” Orick
Alex Ellis and Alex’s family
Oct. 29, 1998
On October 27 I, as a mother, had the worst nightmare, my 3 1/2 year old son
disappeared. We live out in the country where there are a lot of woods. He was here
one minute and gone the next. I yelled and yelled but got no answer. Then
approximately 300 people came to help us look. It took a couple of hours but he found
his way to a house and they called the police.
The ladies at the house doctored his cuts and gave him something to drink. The house
was the H.W. True residence and I am so glad and appreciative that they helped my little
boy. Several departments came to help locate him I am not sure of who all came but I do
know Rhea County Rescue, Pine Grove Fire Department, Wolf Creek Fire Department,
Spring City Fire Department, Mike Neal with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department,
Officers Rocky Hill, B.J. Johnson and Mike Owensby and many friends, family and
neighbors. I am sure I have not given all the people who were looking the recognition
they deserve.
This was a terrible ordeal for my fiancee’ and myself as well as all the members of
my family. I am so thankful that their are people in this county that are willing to lend a
hand when they know someone is in danger.
I would like to make a comment to Sheriff Neal Leon Sneed, this is our sheriff to
whom the citizens of Rhea County have entrusted their lives and the lives of their
children. Mr. Sneed my little boys father did not have to depend on you for a ride to the
house where he had been located. Mr. Robert Dillard was kind enough, even though he
was probably reprimanded by you, to give him a ride to be able to put his arms around
his son. Mr. Sneed I hope that the back seat of tomatoes that you were so adamant to
protect where gotten home safely.
Again, myself and Michael Orick would like to thank everyone who came to help.
We thank God everyday for our little boy and for those who prayed for us and with us
while we waited.
Thank you,
Lisa True Ellis
Michael “Mickey” Orick
Alex Ellis and Alex’s family
Oct. 29, 1998
| Reprinted from the archives of "Oma's Advocate" as published in Rhea County, Tennessee |