Missing Mom, 9-Year-Old Son and Cousin Ate ‘Flowers, Bark and Ants’ While Stranded in the Wilderness for Days, Family Says

A tense rescue operation in Michigan concluded successfully when three family members, missing for nearly three days while tubing on the Muskegon River, were located safe and sound. The individuals involved were Jazmin Hock, her cousin Sarah Vida, and Vida’s nine-year-old son Kayden Kovalcik. Their unexpected ordeal began when their inflatable rafts, which had been intended for use in a pool, broke, leaving them stranded without means of communication as their mobile phones lost power.

Relatives reported their disappearance to police after failing to make contact. Following this alert, the Michigan State Police initiated a search operation, which revealed the family’s parked vehicles at the Maple Island Boat Launch. The situation took a concerning turn when it was discovered that one of the windows of the vehicles had been shattered.

The resilience of the trio was displayed during their harrowing experience. In the absence of food, they resorted to foraging from their surroundings, consuming flowers floating in the river. Young Kayden, however, found the floral diet unappealing and opted instead for bark and ants. Their limited provisions included protein bars and some water, which they reserved primarily for Kayden.

The situation escalated when Jazmin’s mother, Theresa Hock, detailed her daughter’s plight. “They didn’t plan very clearly,” Theresa said, reflecting on the preparations—or lack thereof—that led to the trio’s predicament. Despite their ages—28 for Jazmin and 30 for Sarah—Theresa believed they should have been better equipped for the challenge ahead. She stated firmly, “We’re going to have a plan. That’s for sure. This is not going to happen again.”

The search operation, intensified by the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and volunteers, paid off late in the afternoon of August 7. K-9 teams and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources officers successfully located the three individuals around 4:30 p.m. local time. Upon discovering them, the responders faced the challenge of extracting Sarah from a thicket where she had become ensnared. A chainsaw was eventually necessary to clear the dense brush.

Upon their rescue, the family members showed signs of distress but were conscious. They were immediately taken to a hospital for evaluation. Thankfully, young Kayden was released soon after. Jazmin, however, is still recuperating from an infection on her feet and legs due to the rough conditions they endured.

Theresa reflected on the reunion with her daughter, sharing a touching moment when she greeted Jazmin with a kiss. “She just looked at me and was like, ‘Hi, I messed up,’” she recounted, highlighting the emotional weight of the experience.

Throughout this ordeal, the community’s support was palpable. Theresa expressed gratitude for the extensive effort put forth to locate her family. “I still can’t believe the amount of people and how beautiful it was,” she remarked, underscoring her appreciation of those who contributed to the search.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with outdoor activities in unfamiliar settings and highlights the importance of preparation and communication. With plans to reflect on the incident and ensure future safety, Theresa vowed to ensure that such an experience is not repeated.