A terrifying 16-hour ordeal for the Allen family ended in relief and gratitude after their 2-year-old son, Bodin, was found safe Tuesday morning—seven miles from their home in rural Arizona.
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The nightmare began Monday afternoon at the family’s home just west of Seligman. According to Bodin’s parents, Sarah and Corey Allen, the toddler had stepped outside to play while Corey worked in the yard and Sarah cared for their infant. But when Sarah called for Bodin after finishing with the baby, he was gone.
“It started to get more intense every minute, I started freaking out,” Corey told 12News. “The tears are still coming when we think about it.”
The Allens called family members to help search the property, but when there was still no sign of Bodin after an hour, they contacted the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. As the sun set and the temperature dropped, both parents were left helpless and terrified.
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“I didn’t even know how to process it,” Sarah said. “I looked at his empty bed in the middle of the night and I’m like, ‘How is he not here? How is he out in the dark alone?’ It’s like the worst living nightmare any parent can feel.”
Officials quickly launched a large-scale search involving helicopters, 4x4s, foot patrols, and thermal imaging technology. Searchers scoured the rugged terrain, which is home to mountain lions, coyotes, and other wildlife. At one point, a helicopter crew even spotted two mountain lions nearby using thermal detectors.
By morning, a miracle happened.
At around 7:30 a.m., Scotty Dunton, who owns a ranch near Kingman, stepped outside and saw Bodin walking up the road alongside his dog, Bueford—an Anatolian Pyrenees mix known for patrolling the property and chasing off predators.
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“There was a thousand ways for that to go really, really bad and one good way, and luckily it turned out to be the good way,” Dunton said.
Bodin told Dunton that he had spent the night sleeping under a tree before Bueford found him and led him back to the ranch. Dunton was stunned by how far the boy had traveled—through canyons, ridges, and dense brush.
“That’s a lot of country he went through. It’s amazing he made it as far as he did,” Dunton said.
After giving the boy water and comforting him, Dunton contacted authorities. Shortly after, Bodin was reunited with his parents—scratched up, but remarkably healthy.
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“I feel like God sent that dog to rescue my son,” Corey said.
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On Thursday, the Allens visited Dunton in person to thank him and Bueford for saving their son’s life.
“It’s unreal, it’s unbelievable, and it’s a miracle,” Sarah said. “[Bodin is] here, he’s healthy, he’s fine—like nothing ever happened. It still feels like a dream.”
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Dunton, still amazed by the toddler’s resilience, said he told Bodin, “Buddy, you’re the toughest little 2-year-old I’ve ever seen.” Bodin replied simply, “Yep.”
What could have been a tragic ending turned into a story of survival, gratitude, and the loyalty of a good dog—one the Allen family and their community will never forget.
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