Teen Spent 11 Days in Coma. When He Woke Up, He Used Sign Language to Tell His Mom an Important Message

Thirteen-year-old Dakota “Cody” Trenkle Jr. is making a slow but remarkable recovery after surviving three days lost in the wilderness and more than a week in a coma.

Cody went missing on July 27 in Goose Creek Lake, Missouri, after he was last seen skateboarding. For over 80 hours, he had no food or water. His skateboard was later found half a mile from home. That same day, a bloodhound from the Farmington Correctional Center K-9 unit tracked him down at the bottom of a ravine, lying in a foot of water.

He was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital and placed in a medically induced coma with multiple brain bleeds, a skull fracture, deep wounds, and kidney problems. He also needed a ventilator to help him breathe.

For 11 long days, his mom, Stephanie Neely, stayed by his side, not knowing if he would recover. On August 8, Cody began showing signs of waking up. The next day, he used American Sign Language to tell his mom, “I love you.”

“That moment made all the stress, pain, and waiting worth it,” Neely said.

By August 10, Cody was breathing without a ventilator. The following day, he enjoyed his first real meal—a burger and a Coke. His mom recalls that when he first became more alert, he told her, “Mama, I’m thirsty. I need a 16-ounce Coke from McDonald’s!”

Cody is still battling pneumonia and infections from the contaminated water he was in for so long. He cannot walk yet due to his injuries and muscle loss. His brain injuries are still serious, and doctors will continue to monitor him closely. He will soon move to a pediatric rehab unit for physical, occupational, and psychological therapy.

Despite the long road ahead, his mom says she’s thankful. “We are very grateful for his progress and pleased we are finally moving in the right direction.”

Cody’s mother says his determination is what saved him. “He wasn’t going to give up. He’s proving every day—‘I’m still here. I can survive.’”