BRAD HORN/Nevada Appeal Sarah Koerner hugs her mother, Laura Lau, after receiving a commendation for calling police after she saw the victim of an alleged child abuse case pushing a shopping cart in Carson City.
A Carson City mother fought back tears Thursday as she was honored for her part in the rescue of two children who had allegedly been held captive for years by their family.
"She did what's right and she saved the lives of five children," Sheriff Kenny Furlong said of Sarah Koerner, whose phone call to police on Jan. 19 led authorities to a severely malnourished 16-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother.
The girl told deputies the two had been locked and starving in a bathroom for years. Three other healthy children were also removed from the home and put into the custody of the state.
Their mother, stepfather and grandmother were arrested on felony child abuse and imprisonment charges.
Furlong presented Koerner with a plaque, followed by Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell's presentation of a certificate.
"We need a whole lot more of you," Parnell said.
Koerner's family and friends were among detectives and deputies who gave the 29-year-old woman a standing ovation during the presentation before the Carson City Board of Supervisors.
"I'm kind of blown away," Koerner said. "I'm just glad that the community has come together. We have to fight for the little ones."
Koerner is a little uneasy with all the attention. She says what she did is what anyone would have done.
But, as the sheriff pointed out, several people saw the same sickly girl struggling to push a shopping cart much bigger than her. A number of cars stopped in the street to allow her to cross. Other cars stopped as the girl walked down the center of East Second Street. Koerner was in the bank drive through when the girl crossed in front of her. She said "something just wasn't right," about what she was witnessing. Koerner was the only person to call police.
For Koerner, the real heroes are this brother and sister who, by all accounts, are thriving and continue to love and laugh.
When she thinks about her part in this tragedy, she's glad she could help, but still, their story haunts her.
"I think about them every single day," she said. "I would love to meet them if I could."
-- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
If you go
What: Poker Run to benefit the Second Chance Fun
When: noon Saturday
Where: T's Tavern, 3679 S. Carson St., Eagle Station Shopping Center
You can help
Gifts for the children may be sent to the Division of Child and Family Services:
Attention: Chrystal Main, 1572 E. College Parkway No. 161, Carson City, NV 89706
Monetary donations can be made to an education, medical and basic needs fund for the children set up by the Carson City Deputies Association at any Bank of America branch to the Second Chance Fund:
Acct. No. 005011351167
Mail-in donations may be sent to:
Second Chance Fund c/o Carson City Sheriff's Protective Association, 901 E. Musser St., Carson City NV 89701