Young Boy with Down Syndrome, Once Locked in an Attic and Starving, Reunites with the Officers Who Saved Him
In 2010, a shocking and heartbreaking case out of a small Kansas community captured national attention. A young boy with Down syndrome had been found locked in the attic of his own home—starving, neglected, and abandoned by the very person meant to protect him.
Giovanni “Govi” Eastwood was just six years old when authorities discovered him. His frail body weighed no more than that of a three-year-old, his limbs weak and underdeveloped from years of neglect. Medical experts later confirmed that he would not have survived much longer if officers hadn’t found him that night.
Govi’s mother, Rachel Perez, had been arrested earlier that day on outstanding warrants. While officers quickly located and secured Govi’s two older siblings, they were initially told Govi was elsewhere. Perez misled authorities with a fabricated story about his whereabouts.
Sergeant John Klingele, one of the responding officers, later recalled, “She concocted some story about where Govi was. So they all ended up leaving—and Govi was still there.” Acting on instinct, Klingele and his team returned to the home to search again.
Their decision likely saved a life. After calling out and combing through the property, they found Govi hidden in the attic, alone and in a horrifying state. “He looked like a kid out of a concentration camp—skin and bones,” Klingele remembered. “We were told he was going to be seven, but size-wise he looked maybe three.”
Weighing only 17 pounds, Govi could neither walk nor talk. His tiny frame was covered in filth, his hair had fallen out from malnutrition, and his bones were bowed from rickets. There were no blankets, toys, or signs of care—only the unmistakable evidence of profound neglect.
Investigators determined that Perez had intentionally isolated him in the attic for long periods, depriving him of food, hygiene, and human contact. Doctors later confirmed that his condition was life-threatening—his immune system compromised, his body too weak to recover without urgent medical care.
Perez was later convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted murder. Though the sentence brought a measure of justice, it could not erase the trauma Govi endured.
After his rescue, Govi was placed in the care of his great aunt and uncle, Stacy and Joe Eastwood, who later adopted him and his two sisters. Recovery was long and difficult. In the early days, Govi displayed signs of deep psychological trauma—sleeping on the floor out of fear, flinching at sudden movements, and recoiling even from simple gestures like a high five.
But slowly, through patience, affection, and stability, Govi began to heal. With love and consistent care, he started to trust again. Over the years, he grew stronger—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Six years later, in 2016, the officers who had discovered him reunited with Govi at the Sheriff’s Department. The transformation was nothing short of remarkable. The fragile, malnourished child they had once rescued was now a lively 12-year-old—healthy, smiling, and full of light.
That day, Govi was made an honorary deputy and presented with a commemorative plaque. Beaming with pride, he shook hands with the officers who had once carried him out of darkness. “That boy is the hero,” Sergeant Klingele said, reflecting on the reunion. “Seeing how big his heart is and his smile is… it’s really good to see him.”
According to his great aunt, Govi slept with the plaque that night, cherishing it as a symbol of survival, gratitude, and the life he had been given.
Govi’s story is both devastating and inspiring. It’s almost impossible to comprehend how a mother could so cruelly neglect her child, yet his survival—and transformation—showcases the unbreakable resilience of the human spirit.
Today, Govi continues to thrive under the care of the Eastwoods. His once-timid nature has blossomed into a warm, confident personality. Family and friends describe him as joyful and kind, a constant source of light and laughter.
His journey has become a symbol of hope—a testament to what compassion, intervention, and love can achieve. The community that once mourned for a frail boy hidden away in an attic now celebrates his strength, perseverance, and unshakable spirit.
Every milestone Govi reaches, from simple independence to moments of laughter, stands as a triumph over the unimaginable suffering he endured. His story also highlights the vital role of those who step forward—law enforcement officers, social workers, and families—who refuse to turn away from a child in need.
Stacy and Joe Eastwood have dedicated their lives to ensuring that Govi and his sisters are surrounded by stability, safety, and unconditional love. Thanks to them—and the officers who refused to give up—Govi’s past no longer defines him.
Today, he continues to flourish, embodying the very essence of resilience. His smile tells a story of survival and hope—a reminder that even in the darkest circumstances, love can prevail and life can begin anew.
Giovanni “Govi” Eastwood’s story deserves to be told not only to honor his journey but to inspire vigilance and compassion for vulnerable children everywhere. His life is proof that even after the deepest pain, a child’s spirit can rise, rebuild, and shine brighter than ever.
