Missing girl discovered in the woods — and it was her own mother who ended up being the one behind it all

After days of anxiety and fear, a missing girl was discovered in a remote forest—only for the situation to take a shocking turn. The child, who had vanished nearly a week earlier without a trace, was located by search teams in a dense, secluded area, weak and terrified but miraculously alive. While her discovery initially brought relief, the celebration turned to horror when investigators revealed an unsettling truth: her mother had played a role in her disappearance.

Authorities explained that the case began as a standard missing persons investigation, prompting an extensive search involving volunteers, police, and aerial teams scouring the rugged terrain day and night. The breakthrough came when a group of searchers stumbled upon the girl, hidden under leaves and trembling. Her tearful statements led detectives to a heartbreaking conclusion—her own mother had orchestrated the ordeal.

Shortly after the girl’s rescue, police arrested her mother. While the investigation continues, early reports suggest the abduction may have been linked to personal struggles or mental health concerns. Officials are now working with child welfare and medical experts to provide the girl with care and stability. The community remains shaken by the revelation that the person who should have protected her instead put her in danger.

As the girl begins her recovery, an outpouring of support has emerged, with vigils and messages of hope arriving from across the nation. Though the emotional wounds will linger, her survival has become a symbol of strength. Authorities have pledged to seek justice while ensuring she receives the safety and healing she deserves—far removed from the dark woods where her nightmare unfolded.

Watch The Moment A Six-Year-Old Girl Is Found Safe After 3 Days Missing

Today’s good news story comes from Southbank, British Columbia.

Six-year-old Oaklynn Schweder has been found alive and well after going missing for three terrifying days. The young girl, who had disappeared near her home on September 19, was discovered in a forested area between her house and the local Indian Band office.

Gail Skin / Facebook

Oaklynn was found by one of the volunteer Search and Rescue (SAR) teams. More than 600 volunteers had joined the police and SAR teams to search for Oaklynn, who is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal.

A heart-stirring moment was captured on video by searcher Melissa Tom Dyck, who posted the footage on a Facebook group dedicated to the search efforts.

The video, which has since been shared over 10,000 times, shows Oaklynn’s mother, Gail Skin, rushing into the forest to embrace her daughter. Her father, James, followed close behind as the family emerged from the brush to the cheers, applause, and hugs of the search party.

Paramedics were on hand to check on Oaklynn, and her mother later shared updates on social media, expressing her overwhelming gratitude.

“My heart is so happy it could burst,” Gail wrote, along with photos of Oaklynn safe and sound. “I’m sitting here watching my baby girl sleep, and I’m just so grateful she’s beside me.”

The outpouring of support from the community and beyond played a pivotal role in bringing Oaklynn home.

“The community really came together assisting with sharing information, feeding and sheltering volunteers, transportation, parking in town and proving a staging area,” Burns Lake SAR said in a post.