Jacksonville rescue team surprises Braxton and Bri’ya Williams’ family with holiday shopping spree

Jacksonville, FL — The Jacksonville rescue team that saved two small children from the woods reunited with the family for a surprise shopping trip Friday.

“I don’t think anybody saw this coming,” Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Lt. Josh Montoro said. “This is a special moment. This doesn’t normally happen, 72 hours into the woods with kids at that age.”

Montoro and Phillip Holden are the two JFRD firefighters who carried Braxton and Bri'ya Williams out of the woods Tuesday. The rescue was a team effort, made up of Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and JFRD personnel, who searched the woods for days.

Fraternal Order of Police thanked Walmart for donating towards this cause, opening its store and treating the kids so special.

“Just can’t imagine what the family was going through before that, and finding them was just, still can’t believe it, really,” Holden said.

Braxton, Bri’ya and their seven siblings were each paired with a member of the rescue team. Shopping carts were overflowing, each of the children playing around. Their mother said it’s a blessing from the community.

“The excitement of getting for Christmas whatever they want to pick out, it’s the best feeling ever, and it brings me almost to tears,” JSO Officer Bethany Senterfitt said. “It’s the best feeling, can’t even explain it.”

The family came home to another surprise. Ashley Furniture gifted new mattresses for all nine children.

This was all made possible by the Fraternal Order of Police Jacksonville Lodge 5-30 and the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters.