Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office recruits 8-year-old crimefighter for a day
by Rick Villaroman
SANTA CLARA -- An ailing girl's chance encounter with Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies has led to an ongoing friendship with deputies, a special "case" for her to crack, and the surprise of a lifetime.
It was the case of the century, and 8-year-old Aubrey Silva was on the case of the stolen slippers, a make-believe adventure made possible by deputy volunteers. Despite wearing braces on her legs and suffering from a brain tumor, she's incredibly mobile.
Seeing Aubrey play, it's hard to believe that just three years ago she was confined to a wheelchair and undergoing several procedures at Stanford.
"She had surgery back in August of 2019, and a stroke shortly thereafter, which was the worst part of our journey," recalled Kathryn Silva, Aubrey's mother.
It was about then that Aubrey met a deputy K9 unit. Aubrey didn't forget their meeting, and evidently, neither did the deputies.
"That's when we met Jeromy who works with the sheriff's department," Kathryn explained. "We met K9 Raider."
Their connection has continued and has brought some much-needed comfort to Aubrey, giving her a chance to be detective for a day and build up her courage on the eve of her surgery.
"You're a detective, detectives are so strong and brave," Kathryn said to comfort Aubrey when all the attention became overwhelming. With her undergoing another surgery Friday, that comfort will go a long way.
Aubrey eventually caught up to the slipper swiper, but after making the "arrest," there was a twist. The sheriff's office's entire recruit class surprised her by making a longtime wish come true.
She knew it as soon as she saw the recruits' gift: "I'm going to Disneyland!"
"We're all walking around teary-eyed and we're reminded why we signed up to do this job," said recruit Grayson Suttle.
For Kathryn, it meant a lot, and the same goes for Aubrey. "I'm glad people care about me."
Consider it a reward for a job well done. And an opportunity for a little girl to see her favorite Disney character, Gianna.
"Because at the end of the movie, she gets to kiss the frog and go to her happy place," explained Aubrey.
And where's Aubrey's happy place?
"At my house... I like spending time with family."
