Missing 3-Year-Old Boy Found Alive, Says He ‘Hung Out With A Bear For Two Days’

A three-year-old boy was missing for days, but he was found alive with a very interesting story to tell. Casey Hathaway was playing at his grandmother’s yard in Ernul, North Carolina with two other children, but he did not come back inside with them.

Investigators immediately launched a massive search effort for the boy through “tough” wooded terrain surrounding the property. After the crew received a tip, Casey was eventually found near from where he disappeared.

Casey’s aunt, Breanna Hathaway, posted Friday on Facebook, assuring everyone that her nephew was safely home and is healthy and happy. She then shared the little boy’s fascinating story.

She wrote:

“He said he hung out with a bear for two days. God sent him a friend to keep him safe. God is good God. Miracles do happen.”

In a separate post, Hathaway said Casey enjoys watching “Masha and the Bear,” which is a show about a little girl named Masha and a paternal bear who keeps her from harm.

Hathaway added:

“We appreciate the thoughts, but we do want to recognize that everyone wants to get Casey a stuff little bear and although we absolutely love that remember that he can only home so many.”

Law enforcement is still unsure how Casey remained mostly healthy in the woods for two days without food or water.

Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes said at a news conference that search crews found Casey wet, cold, and tangled in vines, but not seriously injured.

“He hasn’t said a whole lot except when his little sister came in there he really brightened up then. It was a very touching moment.”

Authorities are still trying to determine what exactly happened, but suspect Casey was moving around in the woods while they searched for him. Hughes added that at no point did the officer believe the toddler had been abducted.