logo
youtube.com/CBS Mornings
youtube.com/CBS Mornings

14-Year-Old Boy Finds Wet Baby in the Woods, Gets a Call 58 Years Later: 'That's Your Little Girl'

Dayna Remus
Apr 13, 2022
04:00 P.M.

A teenager was in the woods when he came across a gentle sound. This slight noise led to nothing short of a shocking, beautiful, and touching turn of events.

Advertisement

Standing in front of Mary Ellen Suey, an elderly Dave Hickman from Wayne County, Tenessee, handed her one pink rose at a time. As he did so, Hickman slowly outlined their history together.

There was not one dry eye in the room. Everyone could feel the intense emotions that came with such a strong connection.

[Left] A teenage Dave Hickman with his grandfather; [Right] A baby Roseann Wayne. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

[Left] A teenage Dave Hickman with his grandfather; [Right] A baby Roseann Wayne. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

A HAUNTING FIND

The events leading up to this day all began in 1955. A 14-year-old Hickman came across a mind-blowing discovery in the wetlands west of Boston. While hunting with his granddad, he remembered:

"I'd been hunting with my grandfather, and I kept hearing a very odd sound. It wasn't a sound of a baby crying. It was more of a soft cooing sound."

Advertisement

But, when he went to look for what it was, it turned out to be a baby. The little girl was freezing and was soaking wet with blue lips.

A teenage Dave Hickman with his grandfather. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

A teenage Dave Hickman with his grandfather. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

GOODBYE FOREVER

This infant, called Roseann Wayne, ended up in Reid Hospital and was soon adopted by a couple who, shortly after, moved away.

But, before they left, Hickman got to say goodbye to the little one as Roseann slept peacefully in his arms. However, he could never truly let go of her, spending his whole life wondering how and where she was.

Advertisement
Dave Hickman. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

Dave Hickman. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

WITH A LITTLE HELP

In December of 2013, he asked retired Wayne County Sheriff John Catey if he would help him locate Roseann. Not even a fortnight passed, and the Sherrif gave him a call. Hickman said:

"[Catey] said, 'Dave, write down this name and this phone number — Mary Ellen Suey and her phone number.' I said, 'OK, John, I said, who's that?' [He said] 'That's your little girl'"

Suey, as her parents had renamed her, then received a call from her hero. She hoped to meet him face to face.

Retired Wayne County Sherrif John Catey. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

Retired Wayne County Sherrif John Catey. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

Advertisement

A REUNION FILLED WITH ROSES

So, the two met in 2014, hugging and laughing. After almost six decades, it looked as if they had always known one another.

Mary Ellen Suey. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

Mary Ellen Suey. │Source: youtube.com/CBS Mornings

This was the moment when Hickman held his three pink roses in front of her. Giving her one rose at a time, he said:

"The first rose is for a little baby girl that God let my grandfather and me... find in the woods. The second is for the little baby girl named Roseann Wayne that two angels brought to me to say goodbye [to]."

Advertisement

The last rose, he said, was for their reunion and Suey herself. He was in tears -- those who surrounded him and his 'little girl' gave both of them a round of applause.

STILL BREATHING

Suey has always thought of Hickman as her hero, stating that their reunion may not have been possible had he not found her that day in the woods. She said:

"Right now, I'm just kind of numb. I'm just so excited to finally meet him. It's just so nice to meet him and give him a hug, and thank him for what he did. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here."

While these two may not have connected over a lifetime, they remain soulmates in that they changed each other's lives forever.

Advertisement

LETTING GO IN THE NAME OF LOVE

It's always difficult to let go of someone we cherish and love -- Hickman himself couldn't stop thinking about the baby girl he saved 58 years ago.

So, imagine what it would be like if you had to say goodbye to your own child for decades? One mother, Kelly Gallant, had to do this.

Unemployed and living in poverty, she thought it would be best to give up her youngest child for adoption, even though it broke her heart.

For just over two decades, she walked around with a hole in her chest where her daughter should have been.

But, as she grew older, Gallant's biological daughter Carrie began looking for her. While it was no easy feat, they finally reunited with the help of social media.

These stories are perfect examples of how, if you don't give up on the ones you love, you will always find your way back together somehow.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Man Finds 3 Kids in His Basement, Learns They Secretly Live There Alone for a Year – Story of the Day

October 26, 2023

Gender Reveal Party Goes Awry as Husband Declares to Pregnant Wife He's Sterile – Story of the Day

November 07, 2023

Dad Sees Daughter’s Photos from Vacation and Realizes She’s in Great Danger – Story of the Day

October 25, 2023

Station Guard Sees Girl Lying on Bench for Days, ‘Dad Promised to Return...’ She Cries – Story of the Day

September 13, 2023

‘She’s Not My Sister,’ Boy Says of Newborn Sibling, Parents Take DNA Test Confirming It – Story of the Day

September 20, 2023

Сrying Girl in Shabby Clothes Bursts into Wedding and Goes into Labor Right at Groom's Feet – Story of the Day

October 12, 2023

Poor Dad Saves Stray Dog from Euthanasia, Soon It Leads Him to a Cave Holding a Treasure of Gold – Story of the Day

October 13, 2023

Granddad Forbids Anyone to Touch His Old Mattress, Girl Finds Stash There after His Death – Story of the Day

October 04, 2023

Old Man Saves Boy from Bullies, Next Day Sees Boy’s Parents on His Porch – Story of the Day

August 16, 2023

Boss Fires Lady Because She Looks ‘Too Old,’ Next Day Sends Limo for Her and Begs Her To Return — Story of the Day

September 27, 2023

Son Runs Away from Home at 16, Returns at 29 to Find Only a Note in Deserted House – Story of the Day

October 18, 2023

Cafe Manager Insults Teen Employee, Unaware Her Dad Is Standing In Line – Story of the Day

October 10, 2023

Little Boy Finds Abandoned Stroller with Newborn Baby in Park, Years Later They Meet Again – Story of the Day

October 26, 2023

I Saw a Birthmark on Baby Niece’s Body and Realized That My Husband’s a Cheater – Story of the Day

October 20, 2023