This month is Abuse Awareness-If you see something wrong do something

 I would like to share something that happened to me last night. It was truly a miracle. One you will never hear about in the News. I was cleaning the office in the Repair Shop that I operate, everyone had gone home and I was sweeping the floor that hadn't been swept in a while so it was creating a little dust in the air. I opened the front door to let a little air in the help with the dust situation. Once I did I heard a lot of yelling coming from a truck across the street. As I listened I could tell something wasn't right. I called the Sheriffs office and they said they would try and send a deputy to survey the situation. About 15 minutes passed and still no deputy and I could tell the situation in the truck was getting much worse. So I called the Sheriffs office once more as was informed all the Deputies were responding to a accident involving serious injuries, and no one would be coming to help me. I told the dispatcher that I was going to go confront the driver. The dispatcher reminded me I would be on my own as they could not send help. I called a local friend of mine who showed up immediately.

As I approached the truck I asked the Male Driver if everything was ok. He replied yes, but the young lady in the passenger was shaking her head NO!! When he turned to look at her she would quit shaking her head. I asked where they were from and was told Phoenix, Az. He then told me he was trying to find her a ride to the airport 2-1/2 hours away. Knowing I had to get her out of the truck I told them in was their lucky day because I was on my way to Salt Lake City and could drop her off, He agreed that she could go with me and she immediately exited the vehicle and we got her in my friends truck. I had no intensions of going to Salt lake. Once we got her in the truck he immediately left. She had no money, no extra clothes, and he had turned her cell phone off. We found out they had set out on a two month adventure living out of the back of their truck, might sound familiar. Not soon after we got her in the truck the near by gas station owners wife Kris showed up on the scene and really helped us out. We contacted the young ladies mother in Phoenix and made arrangements for the young lady to spend the night at Kris's house and the next day Kris would take the young lady to meet her mother. I hate to think what might of happened if we had not intervened in the situation.

The young lady was 19 and had been physically abused (obvious from the bruises) and very mentally abused.

The reason I share this is not to elevate myself or anyone that helped in this situation. But to help everyone realize two things: First, when this situation first started all I could think about was the phrase "if you see something, say something". and Second, if it hadn't been for the Gabby Petito Story I may not have even thought twice. So maybe her story was not completely in vain. This happened in little old Laketown, Utah. Nothing like this ever happens here. If it can happen here it can happen where you live also, so be aware of what's going on around you.

On a side note, she told me when she saw me walking around my shop she was praying I would come over where they were and help her. I am really glad I did.