Christmas came early this year in a pint-size, special delivery "package" at the Albert and Sammer Gardner residence in Rose Park.
Four-year-old Chelsey Dobbins was returned home, cold and scared but safe, by letter carrier Bob Nelson, who found her Monday afternoon. Family members had been searching for the child for more than an hour after she chased a dog from her great-grandparents' home.Chelsey, who was wearing only a sweatsuit, lightweight tennis shoes and socks and no coat or gloves, was found by Nelson about a half-mile from the home of her great-grandparents, Albert and Sammer Gardner, in the 1100 block of Nocturne Drive.
The child, who was being tended by her great-grandmother while her parents worked, had wet pants and was cold but otherwise unharmed when Nelson, a letter carrier for seven years, found her on Sunset Drive, approximately 1450 North and 1300 West.
"I knew her name. She wasn't reluctant to come to me," Nelson said. He had stopped delivering Christmas packages and had gone looking for the child in his mail delivery truck when Sammer Gardner asked for his help.
Sammer Gardner, 65, and other relatives had been searching for about a half-hour when the postman was contacted. Sammer Gardner said she and the youngster had been grocery shopping. After returning home, the great-grandmother was informed by a neighbor that the Gardners' dogs had wandered from their yard.
"Chelsey and I ran out to get the dogs, which were about halfway down the street. One came back, but the other didn't. Chelsey kept following it. I kept screaming for her to come back, but she didn't hear me. I came back, put King, one of the dogs, in the yard and got in my truck to find Chelsey and the other dog, Tayger," Sammer Gardner said.
Nelson, whose efforts were commended in letter to the northwest station of the post office, said he had concerns for the child besides the freezing weather.
"I was more concerned about weirdos. That's one of the main reasons I went looking for her. There have been quite a few instances of young children being abducted or hurt by strangers in Salt Lake City," Nelson said.
Sammer Gardner said she and others were frightened when they couldn't find Chelsey.
"The postman was so wonderful and kind. I just can't explain it," she said.
"God bless you and your efforts. You have indeed made this one of the best Christmases ever . . . We will certainly never forget you. Sincerely, we wish you peace, love and happiness from our house to yours. Merry Christmas," said Sammer Gardner; the child's parents, Renissa and Dan Crouch of Sandy; and several other relatives in a letter sent to Nelson and the Salt Lake postmaster.
Robert M. Hale, manager of customer services at the postal station, said he and other officials didn't learn of the incident from Nelson but from Chelsey's family.
"Bob (Nelson) is a very conscientious, caring person. He works on five different routes during regular carriers' days off," Hale said.