Thousands raised for family after suspected animal attack on child

In a tearful video, Robert Bard thanked the outpouring of support his family has gotten after an 8-year-old sustained serious injuries last week.

He and Gerri Bard are the guardians of the child, who on June 23 was reported missing to authorities in Quadeville, Ont., but when she was found, she had serious injuries.

“I just want to thank everybody for the prayer and the support and everything else,” Robert Bard said in a video on June 26. “She’s doing good, in stable condition, but they aren’t sure if she could have more surgeries… Anything can happen between now and then.”

The small rural Ottawa Valley town, northwest of Calabogie, was the site of a community-wide search before Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) descended on the area.

In a statement, the local Pastor, Joseph Fiorentino, said that everyone came together to search for the girl.

“What I experienced that night proved to me that this is a true community, a diverse group of people who come together as one to serve the needs of the one,” he said.

People gathered on Main Street before dividing up to search every portion of the area; through creeks, in ditches and a group of teens went door to door asking if anyone had seen her.

“The whole village seemed to come alive as flashlights pierced the darkness and the sounds of the child’s name being called out competed with the roar of numerous trucks, cars, and ATVs moving about,” Fiorentino said.

By midnight, the search was called off as experts headed to the area with a canine search unit. However, not many in the community could sleep; instead, they gathered at Kauffeldt’s General Store waiting for news.

Police said they found a child around 12:30 a.m. on June 24 suffering from serious injuries on Quadeville Road. At the time, officials said they believed she was injured in an animal attack, but further analysis and testing are needed to determine.

She was sent to a local hospital before being relocated to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, where she is now in stable condition.

This event has shaken the small community. Fiorentino said it is tight-knit, and everyone knows her as a young girl with a kind personality and beautiful smile.

“This young child is an inspiration to so many here in Quadeville and Palmer Rapids, young and old alike,” he said. “When she sees you, she always approaches with a huge smile.  She has a spunky soul that is full of kindness, love for others, and spiritual curiosity. If you have had a challenging day, this little lady is going to cheer you up and make you smile; however, her smile is always bigger!”

The girl and her family face an uphill battle in recovery from this incident. The family is travelling to and from Ottawa, or staying in the capital, while she recovers from her injuries.

A GoFundMe started by Fiorentino has more than double the original fundraising goal within days, however, he said that further efforts will be needed over the many months.

On Saturday July 5, 2025, there will be a fundraising “cold” supper at the Quadeville Community Centre (965 Addington Rd) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets for adults are $15; 7 to 10-year-olds are $10; six and under are free.