The Search for Frosty

You may not have heard the news but Frosty the Snowman was kidnapped from the Wallings' front yard on December 5. Frosty has been a member of the Walling family for a number of years, although his standing in the family is disputed amongst family members.

The Wallings came home a few days ago to find Frosty missing and a note from the kidnappers nailed to the tree near where Frosty used to stand in the yard. Later a Facebook page was opened under the name Jack Frost and messages have been sent back and forth from the kidnappers and the family. Various pictures of Frosty were posted to the profile showing Frosty being held and interrogated. These photos have led to the interrogation of several other staff members at Providence Road regarding the possible unauthorized use of a trailer to transport Frosty, as well as unauthorized use of church property for holding a hostage. Jim Bales, children's minister at PR, notified the kidnappers that PR ministers were not allowed to negotiate with terrorists.

Jeff Walling, patriarch of the Walling family and senior minister of Providence Road Church of Christ pleaded for Frosty's return. Youngest son, Spencer Walling, publicly stated that he doesn't care if Frosty ever comes home. Cathryn Walling could not be reached for comment.

On Friday, Frosty appeared to have posted on the Facebook page that he had only run away from home due to the treatment he feels he has received at the Wallings' home. The post said that Frosty would return home this weekend but would expect better treatment and consideration from the entire family. Later postings and photographs indicated that he was being forced to Be The Gift. The origin of these postings has not been verified.

The newest photographs however show The Empty Chair is no longer empty as several of Frosty's friends have shown up to fill the chair.

Adding to the confusion, Frosty contacted this reporter on Friday evening through Facebook chat and stated that he was being held in a freezer and had only been fed a blueberry ICEE for dinner. When questioned about statements he had made earlier about going home, and why the alleged kidnappers would allow him to use a computer, Frosty could only stammer and stutter and then bid this reporter a hasty goodbye. Frosty (or whoever was using the computer) later posted his claims about the freezer and the ICEE on Jack Frost's Facebook wall.  Brad Childers, Providence Road's youth minister, responded with a promise to buy Frosty a Wendy's Frosty when he is found.

If anyone has any further information regarding Frosty's disappearance or his current whereabouts, please Be the Gift for Frosty and contact the church office immediately.

- reported by Holly Barrett