Mom used social media to try to find the man who had saved Raiden. 12 hours later, she did.

Through the power of social media, a boy who survived the deadly Payson flash flood that killed nine of his family members has gotten to say “Thank you” to the Good Samaritan who saved his life.

Acis Raiden Garcia, 8, had been on a mission to find the man who pulled him out of the deadly water when a “wave of black” tore through Ellison Creek on Saturday where he had been playing with his family. 

Kelley.

It was the only name the boy — who goes by Raiden — had for the man. 

He remembered the man had a big white beard and salt-and-pepper hair. 

He remembered how the man distracted him by doing impersonations of Arnold Schwarzenegger to keep him calm when he didn’t know what had happened to the rest of his family.

He wanted to thank the man. So did his mom, Tasha Baker, who is relieved to have her son back home safe. 

On Tuesday afternoon, Baker shared the “Kelley’s” description on social media, asking for help to connect with her son’s “angel.” 

Less than 12 hours later, Bakern and Raiden have found him. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Baker posted an update on Facebook.

“We did what we set out to do and that’s to find Kelley and reconnect with him,” Baker wrote. “Thank you to everyone who did everything in their power to make sure we were reconnected with his amazing man.”

Baker told The Republic she had left Kelley a voicemail in the morning, and later in the day he had returned her call. 

“It went well,” she said. “They were happy to talk to each other.”

The two, however, didn’t speak “Arnish,” their made-up language in which they impersonated Schwarzenegger while they waited for help from rescue crews.

That will wait until they meet again in person. 

Baker was happy to have the chance to express her gratitude to the man who helped rescue her son. Kelley will be out of town, she said, so they will plan a time to meet soon.

According to Kelley’s sister-in-law, he had been recovering himself from the tragic events that occurred over the weekend. 

He had been at the creek with his family, including his two young sons. They were able to get to safety on higher ground before he heard Raiden’s call for help.

Kelley helped the little boy out of the water before he was overtaken by the strong current. 

“He’s still shaken up by the possibilities of ‘what if’s,’ his sister-in-law said to The Republic. 

The Republic is not publishing Kelley’s last name or the name of his family members because he has not yet decided to go public.

Even before their story was widely shared on social media, Kelley’s family had been aware of what had happened, his sister-in-law said. 

“Kelley is a father. He did what he knew he had to do,” his sister-in-law said. “Nobody was surprised to hear that it was him who was so brave.” 

She said her family saw The Republic’s article about how the boy wanted to find Kelley to say thank you for saving his life. They quickly shared it with Kelley, who wasn’t sure what he should do, she said. 

“He’s not the type of person to want attention from this. He did it because that’s who he is,” she said. 

Kelley’s sister-in-law said Kelley would only contact Raiden if it would mean something to the boy. He wasn’t looking to be made a hero, she said. 

When Baker and her son started their search, Baker said she hoped it would help the boy cope and keep his mind off the family tragedy, “at least for even a moment.”

And it did, Baker said Wednesday afternoon. 

“It’s helped my son get through these past couple days and now we just want to spend this time together as he waits for his uncle to be found and grieves the rest of his family,” she said. 

Raiden’s uncle, Hector Miguel Garcia remains missing. Hector’s wife, Maria Raya-Garcia, 27, and their three kids, Emily Garnica, 3; Mia Garnica, 5; and Daniel Garnica, 7, died in the flood.  

Also killed were: 

• Maribel Raya-Garcia, 24, Maria Raya’s sister.
• Maribel’s daughter, Erica Raya-Garcia, 2.
• Javier Raya-Garcia, 19, brother of Maria and Maribel.
• Selia Garcia Castenada, 57, the mother of Maria, Maribel and Javier.
• Jonathan Leon, 13, Selia Garcia’s grandson.

READ MORE:

Boy who survived flash flood looking for savior

Arizona swimming hole flash flood: What we know now

The Payson flash flood: How did this happen

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