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Stranded woman, toddler found safe after 'massive search' in Tate's Hell Forest

Stranded woman, toddler found safe after 'massive search' in Tate's Hell Forest
Posted at 1:10 PM, Sep 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-21 16:15:38-04

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - A man has been arrested after a physical altercation between him and his girlfriend ended with her and her 2-year-old son being stranded in Tate's Hell Forest.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office says on Thursday, they got a call from Joseph Putnal Jr. who said he had gotten into a physical fight with his girlfriend, Leash Goebel.

During the investigation, deputies asked Putnal where his girlfriend was and he responded, saying he left her and her 2-year-old son in Tate's Hell Forest.

A massive search was then conducted by Franklin County deputies.

Around 4 a.m, Capt. Coulter found Goebel and her son sitting in the middle of a forest road, wet and covered in mud. They were about six miles from where they were last seen.

Both were treated by medical personnel at the scene and cleared. Putnal was arrested and charged with child neglect. Goebel was charged with domestic battery.