5-Year-Old Boy Goes Out in Pyjamas to Find His Mother — He Nearly Freezes to Death Before a Heroic Snowplow Driver Spots Him
A mans immediate action staved off what might have led to tragedy for a family.
According to the National Weather Service, a few degrees below zero with wind speeds of just five to 10 miles per hour, wind chill can easily drop to 20 degrees below zero.
And at that temperature, frostbite and hypothermia can take effect on a human body in well under a half hour, unless the person is properly attired for extreme cold conditions.
And that’s assuming the human body in question is an adult. The person at the center of this story was certainly not clothed for extreme weather, and he was certainly not an adult, either.
Five-year-old Maddox Pierce was wearing nothing but onesie pajamas when he headed out into a frigid, snowy, and windy early morning one day in February 2021. Had it not been for a lot of luck and the immediate action taken by a snowplow driver named David Gehrke, that date in February may well have ended up chiseled into a young child’s gravestone.
Why Maddox Headed Out into the Cold
Per WISN, on that fateful February morning, young Maddox Pierce awoke before four in the morning and found himself living every small child’s nightmare: he was home all alone. Except that of course the five-year-old had not been left alone, he had simply forgotten that his teenaged aunt was babysitting him while his mother worked in the wee hours of the morning.
Not finding his mom where he expected her and not realizing his aunt was there asleep in the house, Maddox panicked and left. He planned to make his way by foot to his grandfather’s house, but being just five, he failed to realize how life-threatening the conditions he would face on the walk would be.
When Maddox emerged from his family’s townhouse, he was clad only in thin pajamas. The temperature out was well below freezing, it was snowing, and it was windy. The conditions would have been dangerous even for an able-bodied adult of sound, mature mind — for a little kid, it was very likely a death sentence.
Thankfully, when the worst of winter’s weather rears its head, that’s when David Gehrke gets to work.
Saved by a Stroke of Luck and a Quick Response
When David Gehrke climbed into his snowplow that blustery morning, the conditions were awful. Gehrke said: “It was snowing, blowing and miserable.”
He set to work on a route clearing the streets near the southeastern end of town and it was there that he came across a sight he had never expected to see: a child wandering alone in the snow.
Gehrke only spotted the boy by luck, Maddox being briefly illuminated by the lights shining off the side of the truck. But it was enough — instantly Gehrke knew this was a bad situation. He stopped the snowplow and leapt from the cab, picking up the shivering child and wrapping Maddox in his own coat.
Gehrke loaded Maddox into the truck’s cabin, cranked up the heat, and immediately called the police. When officers arrived, they found Maddox unhurt and returned the boy home after contacting his mother.
Reunited with her son, Brittany Weissenburger was shaken and emotional but in no trouble; the police determined there had been no wrongdoing of any kind, just a case of a child making an innocent mistake and being saved by luck and kindness — a kindness for which David Gehrke was formally recognized with a certificate of appreciation.
The snowplow driver hero said later that he appreciated it but hardly needed a commendation; he was just happy to know the boy was safe.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.