"We Don't Deserve Dogs": Missing Autistic Toddler Found In The Care Of His Family's Dogs

One family from Ponce De Leon, Florida, has just experienced something that can scar your heart for life. Wednesday morning, their three-year-old boy, Marshal, went missing.

Not only did the toddler disappear wearing only his diaper, but Marshal's also autistic and can't speak, leaving his family even more worried about their chances to reunite with the boy. The only thing that gave them comfort was that he disappeared with Nala and Buckwheat, two loyal family dogs.

"We were panicked," Marshal's aunt Kayla Stewart told WJHG/WECP, adding that "all sorts of worst-case scenarios [were] running through their heads."

Both the neighbors, who quickly split up and searched the area, and the sheriff's department, which posted about the case on Facebook, were trying to find the toddler. "Our expectations going into a search of that magnitude are always to get as many agency members on the ground as possible to aid in the search," Corey Dobridnia, the Public Information Officer at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, told Bored Panda. "Minutes are precious when it comes to the search of a child."

Neigbor Carol Shelton saw the boy later that afternoon about a mile away from his home. And I wouldn't even call it a miracle, rather, an outcome that Marshal's very earthly guardian angels ensured. Throughout it all, Nala and Buckwheat were by the toddler's side. "[His] dogs were right there with him," the neighbor recalled. "[We're] thankful that the pups kind of guided him along, I guess they kept him safe."

Dobridnia said everyone at the Sheriff's Office are grateful for the family friend who was able to locate the child, adding that one of their captains was able to bring the child back to his mother.

"Marshal was in good spirits when found. A little dirty from the walk through the woods, but unharmed and happy," Dobridnia added. "Dogs are loyal creatures. I feel like they probably knew to stay with him when they saw he was alone. Their instincts kicked in. They stayed with the boy and watched over him until he was located."

Marshal's family were beyond happy to see their precious little boy back home safe. They were also very proud of their canine family members. "They're doing their job," the boy's mom said.