In the months leading up to the shocking discovery, neighbors recall hearing strange noises drifting from the attic—soft thumps, faint cries, and the kind of sounds that vanish just as quickly as they appear.
Some admitted later that they had a nagging feeling something wasn’t right inside the home, especially after noticing the children almost never played outside. Still, no one imagined the heartbreaking truth that officers would uncover during what began as a simple welfare check.
Back in 2010, authorities made a discovery so horrifying it left seasoned officers shaken: a six-year-old boy with Down syndrome, Giovanni “Govi” Eastwood, had been hidden away in his family’s attic—starved, neglected, and abandoned by the very person meant to protect him.
Despite being nearly seven, Govi weighed only 17 pounds—the size of a toddler.
His mother, Rachel Perez, had been arrested on outstanding warrants. Officers located her other children and ensured they were safe, but Govi was nowhere to be found.
“She made up some story about where Govi was,” Sergeant John Klingele recalled. “So everyone left, and Govi was still inside the house.”
Something didn’t sit right. Officers returned for a second sweep, calling out for the missing child. Then they heard it—an almost imperceptible sound above them.
Govi was in the attic.
“When I first saw him, he looked like he’d come out of a concentration camp—just skin and bones,” Klingele said. “We were told he was almost seven, but he looked no older than three.”
Malnourished to the brink of death, Govi couldn’t walk. He could barely speak. His hair had fallen out. His bones were softened and bowed from rickets. His body was smeared with filth.
There were no toys. No bedding. No sign that anyone had intended for him to be comfortable—or even survive.
Medical staff later confirmed that had officers not searched the attic that night, Govi may not have lived much longer.
Perez was later convicted of attempted murder for the abuse of her son and sentenced to eight years in prison.
Six years after his rescue, the officers who found Govi were reunited with him—and the transformation was nothing short of astonishing.
Govi and his sisters had been adopted by their great aunt and uncle, Joe and Stacy Eastwood. The road to recovery wasn’t simple. He slept on the floor by choice. He flinched at raised hands. He struggled to understand affection.
But slowly, surrounded by consistent love and safety, he began to bloom.
“He’s just magical,” his adoptive uncle said. “Everyone who meets him becomes a better person because of him.”
When Govi visited the Sheriff’s Department in 2016, he was a bright, joyful twelve-year-old. Officers honored him with an official plaque and named him an honorary deputy. Govi shook each officer’s hand and personally thanked them for saving his life.
“That kid is the hero,” Klingele said, visibly emotional. “Seeing his smile and how big his heart is—it’s incredible.”
That night, Govi proudly slept with the plaque beside him.
✅ Conclusion
Today, Govi continues to flourish in the safety of a family that loves him deeply. His journey—from a locked attic to a life filled with joy, connection, and hope—has moved everyone who’s heard his story, including the officers who saved him. His resilience is a powerful reminder that even after unimaginable darkness, a single act of compassion can change a life forever.