Parents’ Nightmare: Bend Girl, 6, Safely Home

For more than three hours, a northeast Bend family went through every parent’s nightmare: Their little 6-year-old girl disappeared around noon Wednesday, seemingly without a trace.

Neighbors, police and complete strangers frantically searched the nearby area, looking for any sign of the girl. Then a few hours later, she was found safe, and a new life lesson was learned.

But for much of the day, it was gut-wrenching for for the girl’s mother, Amy McIntosh,.

?To get a phone call from school and to rush home and not know where your little girl is — it’s pretty scary,? McIntosh said.

That little girl is 6-year-old Jainee.

On Wednesday, the recent kindergarten graduate was doing what any other kid that age would be, playing outside.

The girl’s older brother says he was watching her over in a field near the family’s home around noon, and decided to go inside to get a drink of water. When he came back outside, just moments later, his sister was gone.

So for the next 3 1/2 hours, a frantic search unfolded looking for any sign of the soon-to-be first grader.

Then around 3:45 p.m., she was found.

?I felt relief,? her mom said later, still fighting back tears. ?But I had to see her face. The terror running down the street. I just wanted to see the whites of her eyes. That’s the only thing that kept me going. I just wanted to see the whites of her eyes.”

Turns out, Jainee had gone to a friend’s house just down the street.

The problem is, she didn’t tell anyone.

?That’s not okay — you need to tell your parents where you’re going at all times,? McIntosh said. She then reassured her daughter in her arms, saying, ?It’s okay, I know you know now.?

There are many lessons we learn on the road of life and for Jainee, this is one she won’t soon forget.

?She ran to me and said, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know,’? McIntosh said. ?But now she’s seen all the cop cars. Now she knows it’s pretty extreme.?

An extreme situation, that in this case, ended with hugs of relief and love.

“It really hurts,” the tearful mom said, holding her little girl. “It felt like my heart was being crushed. But now that she’s back, it’s better. But oh — it’s the worst feeling in the world.”

McIntosh wanted to express thanks to police and everyone who helped search for her daughter — and prayed for her safe return, prayers answered after a few agonizing hours.