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Missouri was shaken this summer when 13-year-old Cody “Dakota” Trenkle Jr. went missing, only to be found nearly 80 hours later — alive and seriously injured — thanks to the quick actions of a heroic K-9 dog named Daryl.
This is the full account: how it happened, who helped, what Cody endured, and what comes next in his recovery.
How the Rescue Unfolded
- On July 27, Cody was skateboarding near Goose Creek Lake when he tumbled about 240 feet down into a ravine. Immediate danger from exposure (temperature, wildlife, terrain) and injuries made his situation critical.
- Family, volunteers, and first responders worked tirelessly for nearly 80 hours, searching through dense undergrowth and dangerous ravine drops. Meanwhile, Cody was unable to walk, partially submerged in water, and with no clear way to call for help.
- The turning point came when the Farmington Correctional Center’s K-9 unit, led by Daryl the bloodhound, was brought in. Using Cody’s shoes for scent, Daryl found a trail, then tracked it to his location in about 20 minutes.
What Happened- Timeline & Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name/Age | Cody “Dakota” Trenkle Jr., age 13 |
| Location of incident | Near Goose Creek Lake, St. Francois County, Missouri |
| Date went missing | July 27, 2025 |
| Search duration | About 3 days (≈ 76-80 hours) |
| Terrain | Forested ravine, steep drop (≈ 240 feet), thick undergrowth, muddy/wet creek bed |
| Rescuer dog | “Daryl”, a Bloodhound with the Farmington Correctional Center K-9 unit |
| How dog tracked scent | Dog was given Cody’s shoes for scent; tracked through brush and ravine |
| Discovering Cody | In ~20 minutes after receiving scent, found in foot of water, injured, severely dehydrated |
| Injuries | Brain bleed(s), skull fractures, pneumonia, deep cuts, kidney weakness, fighting for life in hospital, medically induced coma |
| Current status | Hospitalized in critical condition, recovery expected to take many months; rehabilitation ongoing |
Cody’s Fight & Medical Condition
- When found, Cody was dehydrated, with serious head trauma including brain bleeds, skull fractures, and deeply cuts. A wet creek bed may have helped him avoid worse dehydration, but also contributed to infection and pneumonia.
- He was airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis, placed in a medically induced coma, where doctors worked to stabilize him. There are concerns about his kidneys, and there will be a long period of healing for his brain and other injuries.
- After more than a month, Cody was released from hospital care, though the path ahead remains difficult. He has not yet fully recovered; the doctors estimate six months to a year or longer to heal certain injuries and complete rehabilitation.
Role of the Hero Dog & Search Units
- Daryl, the bloodhound, was six years old and part of the correctional center K-9 team. His tracking ability in extreme conditions is being hailed as nothing short of miraculous.
- The scent provided via Cody’s shoes was crucial. Despite the trail being nearly three days old, vegetation and weather damage, Daryl was still able to locate him swiftly.
- Search teams included local sheriff’s departments, K-9 units, EMS, volunteers, firefighting units, and hospital trauma/airlift services. The coordination was intense and cross-agency.
Impact & Community Response
- Cody’s mother, Stephanie Neely, has been by his side throughout, calling the recovery slow but steady, and expressing shock and gratitude at how close they came to losing him.
- Community set up GoFundMe and support groups (“Dakota Strong”) to help with mounting medical bills, long-term care, and rehabilitation costs.
- Daryl and his handlers were honored by the Missouri Department of Corrections with awards and recognition for the life-saving work.
Keywords & Why They Matter
Here are some keywords that are important to highlight for SEO:
- heroic dog rescue
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- K-9 bloodhound tracks
- rural ravine rescue
- teen survival story
- Cody Trenkle
- recovery from brain injury
These help people searching for inspiring rescue stories, missing teen news, or K-9 units to find this article.
The story of Cody “Dakota” Trenkle Jr. is nothing short of astonishing. Missing for nearly 80 hours, seriously injured, and trapped deep in a ravine, he survived an ordeal that would break many. But thanks to teamwork, resilience, and one very focused Bloodhound, he was found alive.
As Cody begins the long path of recovery, his story serves as a reminder of the power of courage, community support, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their four-legged heroes.
Here’s hoping each day brings him more healing, strength, and smiles — because the road ahead is long, but with miracles like Daryl, it’s walkable.