Community gathers to find local Marina child
MARINA. Calif. (KION-TV)-- About a hundred people came together to find an at-risk missing 6-year-old named Emery Johnson on Saturday.
The search brought out community members from Marina, Seaside and Salinas.
"Within seconds people were replying back, ’What can we do to help?” because we also had to monitor what people were saying," said Tina Nieto, Marina Police Chief.
Once word came out of this at-risk child lost in the darkness of night, people left their homes and drove out to the area of Windyhill Park where the girl was last seen.
Chief Nieto said that the number of community members that showed up to help was overwhelming.
“You could see the concern in the community's faces," said Chief Nieto. “We were right in the middle of it, and the community was all around us.”
People combed through the streets on foot and by car to do their part to bring the little girl home safely.
Even businesses offered their services to help give aid to the search party.
"One of our local restaurants said we will go make coffee and bring it to you, we can get it to you right away. I'll open the door so you guys can use the restroom," said Chief Nieto. "We took them up on their offer."
Since so many people were already out in Marina looking for Emery, the person who found her was initially hesitant to join the search.
“I just thought, you know, one more person me going out there like there was plenty. They don't need me, and I finally just reacted like I got to be out there and help," said Phillip Saldivar, the man who found the missing girl.
Saldivar said that many people have reached out to him to give him praise for his efforts.
“Everybody's messaging like, 'Oh, you're a hero.' I'm just doing like any dad would be out there doing. You have kids and would be out there searching," said Saldivar.
The search party spent four hours of their Saturday evening on the lookout before the girl was found in a rural area just East of Marina.
Marina police said that the amount of kindness from those who came to help is an example of what a strong community can accomplish.
“I think it's through tragedy, through our celebrations, through our mourning together, our celebrating together, that you really learn about your neighbors. How much they care," said Chief Nieto.
