Police chaplain and diver open up about Baby Grace search, discovery, aftermath

A sense of divine purpose propelled Horry County Police Chaplain David Panning when he received the call that 5-month-old Baby Grace’s lifeless body had been recovered from a Socastee creek after a nearly three-day search.

Panning led a prayer at the police station the morning of the discovery and had been at the search scene off and on that day, but he was at his parish, Holy Lamb Lutheran Church on Forestbrook Road, when the missing infant was found about 3:45 p.m. Nov. 5.

“It was a little intense,” he said. “... There was nothing I could do seemingly during the search, but when they told me the body was discovered, and I should come over, I realized now it was time, at least on a more intensive level, for me to be involved.”

With 10 years experience in ministry but only one year’s worth in police chaplaincy, Panning stood on the sidelines of his first on-scene search prior to the finding, relying on God for guidance, he said, while meeting a silent need with his presence..

“Knowing someone was there that they could go to if they needed to probably alleviated the need to come to me because they knew my presence was there,” he said.

The search was launched about 10:30 a.m. Nov. 3 after Grace Carlson Santa Cruz was allegedly lost in a whirling brown Socastee creek by her mother Sarah Lane Toney, 33, who has since been charged with homicide by child abuse in connection with the baby’s death.

Toney left her home on Simms Drive in Socastee and allegedly went into the creek that borders it with Baby Grace in her arms. She emerged drenched and alone on the porch of a residence on Shem Creek Circle saying she put her baby in the creek, police said.

Panning was on scene the second day of the search. On the day of the discovery he witnessed the difficult conditions searchers from multiple agencies endured as they scoured swollen, murky waterways and wooded terrain, worsened at times by periodic downpours.

“The most significant thing I saw was the dedication of the officers. After a few hours it becomes very difficult work. Difficult circumstances physically, emotionally. It requires significant dedication and coordination,” Panning said.

The emotional climate during the search was somber and sobering, matching the gray backdrop created by the rainy conditions. Panning got a feel for the scene as he surveyed the dark Socastee creek and watched rescuers weather a tough environment.

Before Baby Grace was recovered, he spoke with officers and watched divers dangerously wade through dark water that varied from 1 to 2 feet in places. He looked on in amazement as they suddenly dropped down to spots about 5 to 6 feet deep.

Relief, release, and a sadness followed after Baby Grace was found.

“The adrenaline was gone and now they were faced with the real emotions of what had happened. Up until that point they were engaged in doing their jobs, which by discipline helps keep their emotions out of it, but there were some who were having a difficult time, especially those who have kids of their own,” Panning said.

Some officers and other searchers formed a prayer circle after it was all over, heads bowed as Panning thanked God for guiding the discovery and for the support of the officers while they worked. He also prayed for peace for the searchers.

“It was difficult because I knew this was very personal for the officers. … It was difficult for me because I’d seen their faces [the officers] and pictures of the baby,” he said.

It’s better emotionally for searchers that the baby was found because there’s certainty of the outcome and a sense of finding closure, along with the ability to know the situation is over, Panning said.

Sgt. J.B. Kinsey with S.C. Department of Natural Resources also said it’s better that the baby was recovered. Divers from the S.C. DNR located Baby Grace after Horry County Stormwater Department workers removed a large tree from the water, authorities said.

“It’s more difficult if we don’t find the individual we’re searching for. That’s always more difficult,” Kinsey said. “It brings closure. And in this case it was bringing closure to the whole county because everyone knew about it and had read about it and it concerned everyone.”

Kinsey said that the divers had a meeting days after the discovery with a chaplain present and everyone discussed how they were doing, and it went very well.

“Some guys it takes a little more time than others to move on, but everyone is doing OK,” Kinsey said.

Lt. Raul Denis, Horry County police spokesman, said a debriefing will soon follow for officers who were present, where they will be able to get counseling from a police chaplain or from a trained peer support team member. Chaplain services are also available before and after that meeting.

The community has shown a mix of anger and hurt with Facebook groups called “Prayers for Baby Grace” and “Justice for Baby Grace” emerging.

Panning stressed that there are “two kingdoms” at work: God’s kingdom, which is a spiritual place that offers forgiveness without restraint, and a civil kingdom that has a justice system with rules that govern.

“Christ died for the sins of the whole world. Christ died for your sins. Forgiveness is available. Now, the community can find that unpleasant, but that’s what we’re told. That there is no sin too great to be forgiven,” he said. “That does not in any way dismiss the need for legal process or appropriate punishment, but in God’s eyes forgiveness is available.”

Panning said that there wasn’t an overall phrase he could offer to encourage a struggling officer. Each situation is unique, he said, and his advice would have to be part of an organic conversation.

However, when asked what he would say to someone haunted by what they saw, he said the following: “The issue with images would be a difficult one because the things we see are seared into our minds. I guess I would encourage them to picture that baby not laying in the water. Picture the baby being held in God’s arms because that’s where she is now.”

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 3:00 AM with the headline "Police chaplain and diver open up about Baby Grace search, discovery, aftermath."