Boy with Down syndrome found starving and locked in attic is reunited with officers who rescued him

Authorities believed that Perez had intentionally hidden him in the attic, possibly to avoid responsibility or to keep his condition from being discovered. Whatever the reason, the reality was chilling: Govi had been abandoned in every possible way—physically, emotionally, and medically. Rachel Perez was ultimately convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted murder and felony child abuse. Her actions shocked the community and made headlines across the country, as people struggled to comprehend how a mother could do something so cruel to her own child.

But what followed in the years after Govi’s rescue is a story of remarkable resilience, healing, and love. Govi, along with his two sisters, was taken in by their great aunt and uncle—Stacy and Joe Eastwood—who opened not just their home, but their hearts to these traumatized children. It wasn’t an easy road. In the beginning, Govi showed signs of deep emotional scars. He refused to sleep in a bed, choosing the floor instead, likely a result of spending so long in isolation. He flinched at gestures of affection, even misinterpreting high-fives as threats. He didn’t know what it meant to feel safe. But slowly, through patience, love, and care, Govi began to heal.

“The kid is magical,” said Joe Eastwood. “Everybody he comes in contact with, he just brings out a better person in them.” Over the years, Govi transformed—not just physically, but emotionally. His smile grew wide, his personality bloomed, and he began engaging with the world in a way that once seemed impossible. His teachers and caregivers describe him as joyful, thoughtful, and full of life. His strength inspired not only his family but the very officers who once saved him.

In 2016, six years after his rescue, Govi was reunited with the law enforcement team that found him. The meeting took place at the Sheriff’s Department, where a ceremony was held in his honor. Govi, now twelve years old, walked proudly into the room and shook hands with the officers, thanking each of them personally for saving his life.