My 14-year-old daughter is SAFE AT HOME

[TripleDigitRide]

Let me start off by thanking TGO David and everyone else who took the time to spread the word. The outpouring was truly amazing, and I will be forever grateful. 

 

The nearly 24-hour period that passed without knowing her whereabouts was undoubtedly the most gut-wrenching and heartbreaking period of my life. I felt feelings and emotions that I didn't know I had. I can definitely live without ever experiencing those again.

 

Without going into too many personal details; while my daughter's emotional and behavioral issues aren't something new to me, this was the very first time she's not been home when she was supposed to be. When I got the first phone call shortly after she took off from school, I was concerned enough to immediately contact the police, but I wasn't overly concerned. It was still early enough in the day, so I figured she would find her way home before I got home from work, hoping I wouldn't have known she wasn't where she was supposed to be. 

 

Greater concern started to set in when she wasn't home by the time I usually get home from work. This is when I began driving around town without any real idea where she could be. I don't allow her to associate with many of the "friends" she normally chooses, so I had only one idea of where she may have been hiding/hanging out. She wasn't there, so the concern began to intensify even more. 

 

Thankfully, I was able to get in touch with a parent who knew a little about the boy (later finding out he was one of three boys) she left with after school. With that information, I was able to find his house, names of friends, hangout locations, etc. Unfortunately, this information didn't help too terribly much. Most of it lead me too a bunch of dead ends. But at least I had more information that I started with.

 

Still holding out hope that she would come strolling in, as the clock ticked 10:00, 11:00, midnight, I began to get very angry with everyone. I was scared. At this point, I didn't know what to do. While I am sure the police were doing everything they could, the helplessness I felt was becoming overwhelming. Again, knowing the type of people she was likely with didn't help my state of mind. Needless to say, I didn't get a wink of sleep.

I was anxiously waiting all night for the school to open, hoping she would show up there, as if nothing ever happened. They informed me that all three boys showed up for school, but Ashton did not. This is about the point where those three boys were lucky that I was able to control myself from doing something very stupid. Instead, I contacted the police with this information. After an officer had a chance to speak with them, one of the boys told the officer that my daughter was with him until 9:00 p.m. the night before, until he made her leave before his mother was to get home from work. He claimed that she left on foot, and he had no idea where she was going. At the very moment this information was given to me, I went into full panic mode. This was THE moment - had I been born with telepathic powers - the lives of those boys should have been flashing before their eyes. Even though she left with them of her own free will, I couldn't help but be angry with them. The boys she was last seen with claimed to have no idea where she was, and I sure as hell didn't. 

Every possible worst case scenario began flying through my head. Every news story I'd ever hear or read involving a missing teenage girl came flooding in, as if I had a photographic memory. Whether I should have or not, I began debating if I should begin spreading the word, or just continue to hold out hope that she would come walking in at any second. I didn't want to get everyone worked into a tizzy, only to have her show up 10-minutes later. After quickly weighing my options, I felt like I would be better off getting the word out as soon as possible.

 

As most of you know, she was found within hours of getting the word out. She is now home. I don't think she had planned on staying out all night, but once she caught wind that the police and I were out searching for her, she became scared. One of the boys convinced her to stay the night at his house, or possibly go to jail for running away. From what I understand, his mother works nights, so it would be easy for them to hide out.

On a lighter note, I think most of you'd be surprised how few degrees of separation there are between many of us. I can't tell you how many phone calls, text messages and emails I received from friends and acquaintances who heard about this ordeal via TGO and it's members, TN Jeeps and it's members, friends and family of TGO and TN Jeeps members, and mutual (although not known to me at the time) Facebook friends of many of you. Not to burst anyone's bubble, but I believe Steelharp is the most famous of us all. I'm pretty certain I had more people tell me they read about it on or via a share from his personal Facebook page than any other. I am a friend of his on Facebook, so I knew he shared the story. But I had no idea the degree of separation was quite that slim.

 

Again, I can't thank all of you enough. I am truly blessed to know you guys, even if most of it is via the internet. I feel a tiny bit silly for getting everyone worked up, only to have her show up hours later, but I hope this helps you understand why I felt that I had little choice at the time. 

 

Thank you!

Edited December 5, 2013 by TripleDigitRide

[dralarms]

Glad she is home and glad it worked out. Now you need to explain how many people that you know that have guns and the willingness to hunt and search for a loved one of our members.

[Joe357]

Most of us are parents and know what you were going through. GOD bless
Joe

[whitewolf001]

I can't help but feel I'd react the EXACT same way TDR, you have better self control than I sir and I commend you for it.

[KahrMan]

I am really glad she is home and safe.  

[Guest Rowoco]

So glad everything worked out.i have a teenage daughter also and hope I never have to deal with something like that.

[hardknox00001]

You did the right thing getting the word out.  Better safe and look silly than the other way....

 

Hope everybody's nerves settle down soon.

[Dennis1209]

I'm so glad she's safe and sound!

 

I'm sure we all share your emotions and would try and move heaven and earth for our precious children. I can imagine what a challenge it was to restrain yourself in pursuit of your child. I don't ever want to experience that. Count your blessings that it didn't end up like so many of the programs on TV and cherish every moment with your loved ones.

 

I love happy endings.

[Fourtyfive]

Saw it on my email first then saw it was all clear about 10 min. later. I cannot access my email at certain times like some ( like while giving presentations ) , I was relieved to see that everything was ok before I started a APB on all my social networks. Glad she is SAFE.

[Raoul]

Glad this part is over. Sounds like there's still some work to do.

If it makes you feel better I've been there too. I hope it works out as well for you as it eventually did me.

[DaveS]

TDR; we're so glad she is home safe and sound, that's the important part. Work with her on her issues and get her help if she needs it. Glad you didn't do something stupid!

 

Dave

[sgtyork]

So glad she is home safe. As a parent, I can fully understand the range of emotions you went through. Trust things will work out for you and your daughter.

 

 

[vontar]

very glad she is back home.

[Metalhead]

Glad she's back home TDR.

 

Though.... these boys... they are dead yes?

Edited December 5, 2013 by Metalhead

[safeandsecure]

Thumbs up, Brother.  Will keep ya'll in our thoughts and prayers.

[Caster]

I'm happy for you 'Ride. Glad you can relax.
Ain't my business to tell nobody this but SOMEBODY needs a trip to the woodshed. Several somebody's.

...somebody had to say it. :)

[Tobashadow]

Very glad she got home make sure after it calms down you sit her down and calmly explain the emotions and thoughts you had going on to her so she understands.

[TGO David]

Good ending to a bad story.  Now... the little bastard that convinced her to stay the night at his house...

 

 

[McGarrett]

Glad she is back home safe. Thoughts and prayers go out to you. I have a 17 year old daughter and 19 year old son so I feel for you. Can't imagine what you just went through.

[KahrMan]

Good ending to a bad story.  Now... the little bastard that convinced her to stay the night at his house...

 

 

 

:up:

[Monkeyman2500]

Good that it was not more serious, and that she is home. It's better to get the word out quick as possible just in case.

[gregintenn]

Sir, you likely handled it better than I would have. I'm glad you found her.

[leroy]

Thank God this child is home and is ok...   We'll keep sending up the prayers for all of you...

 

leroy

[TripleDigitRide]

The boys didn't force her into anything, so there is nothing that can legally be done about the part they played in the whole ordeal. Even though at least 2 of them lied to the police several hours before she was found, they get to walk. Because I eventually filed a runaway report, they issued her a citation. Guess who's gonna get stuck with the court costs and fines?  In the end, I am the only one that will truly pay for all of this. I'll find a way for her to work it off, but the cash is coming out of ol' Dad's pocket.

[UncleJak]

My stomach hurt all day yesterday agonizing about this. I have two of my own and two nieces who stay with me a lot and also call me dad. I am thankful everything turned out the way it did. It also makes my heart happy to see how many TGO members were willing to do whatever to help!
And yes, Steelharp is pretty cool :)

Sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee