Berwick’s Bethany Copeland and her husband “just lived every parent’s worst nightmare.”
On the morning of December 18, her husband got up early to go to the gym and noticed the front door was open.
At first, they thought it was a home invasion, but then realised their three-year-old son was missing.
The child had wandered some distance from the family’s home, so police were unable to locate the family through door-knocking.
After frantic searching and contacting authorities, relief finally came when police confirmed he had been found safe at the Endeavour Hills Police Station.
“Luckily when we called the police this morning we were called back promptly to let us know that he had been found,” Bethany said.
Two 19-year-old boys were behind the timely rescue. They spotted the child wandering the streets in his Bluey pajamas, called the police and stayed with him until help arrived.
The teens’ mother later reached out to Bethany on social media, saying they were pleased he had been safely reunited with his family.
“My son was talking to him about Bluey because of his pj’s and was letting him watch Sponge Bob on his phone till the police arrived. My son said he was very talkative,” she told Bethany.
The parents expressed profound gratitude for both the police and the kindness of these young people.
“A massive shout out to the officers there for taking such good care of him,” Bethany said.
“Also a massive apology to any residence around Lyall Road that received a knock on their door in the early hours of this morning as they were trying to locate us.
“We couldn’t be more grateful that he is safe and well let’s call it our own little Christmas miracle. Feeling like the world is a good place this morning.”
The incident was a wakeup call for the Copelands and other families to review their home security.
Bethany also reminds the community there are still young people “doing the right thing and looking out for the vulnerable,” despite the rising youth crime.
