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His Great Aunt and Uncle Took Him In
Govi and his two sisters were eventually adopted by their great aunt and uncle, Stacy and Joe Eastwood.
The move gave the children a new home.
For Govi, it also began a long process of learning that adults could be trusted.
At First, He Preferred Sleeping on the Floor
The behavior reflected how unfamiliar comfort had become to him.
A bed did not automatically feel safe.
The floor felt more natural.
His new family had to give him time rather than expect him to adjust overnight.
Recovery came gradually.
Even a High Five Could Frighten Him
When someone raised a hand toward Govi, he sometimes feared he was about to be struck.
What another child might interpret as a playful gesture could trigger anxiety for him.
Those reactions showed how deeply his earlier experiences had affected the way he understood other people’s movements.
His Family Focused on Helping Him Feel Safe
Over time, Govi began learning that his new home was different.
He was surrounded by people who cared for him.
He had food.
He had a family.
He had people who wanted him to feel secure rather than afraid.
Slowly, His Personality Began to Shine
His great aunt described him with extraordinary affection.
“The kid is magical. Everybody he comes in contact with, he just brings out a better person in them,” Eastwood said.
That description offered a striking contrast to the frightened child officers had found years earlier.
Govi Continued Growing Stronger
His recovery was not immediate.
The damage caused by prolonged neglect could not disappear in a few weeks.
But with stability and care, Govi gradually began reaching milestones that once seemed uncertain.
He became healthier.
He became more comfortable around others.
Most importantly, he began to understand that he was safe.
The Officers Never Forgot Him
For Sergeant Klingele and the other officers involved in the rescue, the memory of the attic remained vivid.
Police officers respond to countless calls during their careers.
Some cases, however, never leave them.
Govi’s was one of those cases.
Six Years Later, They Saw Him Again
In 2016, Govi returned to visit the sheriff’s department.
He was now 12 years old.
The officers who had once found a dangerously underweight six-year-old were able to see how dramatically his life had changed.
The reunion became an emotional moment for everyone involved.
The Child They Remembered Was Now Smiling
The physical transformation was immediately noticeable.
But the emotional transformation was even more meaningful.
Govi shook hands with the officers.
He spoke to them.
He thanked them for finding and rescuing him.
The Officers Saw a Completely Different Boy
The fear and severe weakness they remembered from 2010 no longer defined him.
He had grown.
He had developed confidence.
He had a family supporting him.
For the people who had once worried he might not survive, seeing him healthy was deeply moving.
Govi Was Made an Honorary Deputy
During his visit, the sheriff’s department honored him with a special plaque.
He was also made an honorary deputy.
The recognition transformed the reunion from a simple visit into a celebration of how far he had come.
The Plaque Became Very Important to Him
According to his great aunt, Govi slept with the plaque that night.
It clearly meant something special to him.
For the officers, the award was symbolic.
They may have been the ones who physically removed him from danger, but they believed Govi deserved recognition for everything he had overcome afterward.
Sergeant Klingele Called Govi the Hero
“That boy is the hero. Seeing how big his heart is and his smile is… It’s really good to see him,” Klingele said.
His words reflected the way the officers viewed the reunion.
They did not see themselves as the central figures in the story.
They saw a child who had endured extraordinary hardship and still developed a warm and loving personality.