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Kentucky woman saves 2-year-old son buried in tornado rubble by 'following his cry'

Tara Hollifield lived her worst nightmare when the EF-4 tornado hit their home in London, and she couldn’t find her son.

By Emilee Speck Source FOX Weather

'Following his cry'': Mom pulls 2-year-old from rubble after London, Kentucky tornado

Tara Hollifeild lived her worst nightmare when an EF-4 tornado hit her home near London, Kentucky. After the tornado she couldn't find her almost 2-year-old son until she heard his cries from underneath the debris. 

LONDON, Ky. – When the EF-4 tornado decimated parts of London, Kentucky, last week, many, like 23-month-old Parker, were asleep. His mother, however, was wide awake and listening as a killer tornado roared closer.

Due to an internet outage, Tara Hollifield said she didn’t receive the Tornado Warning on May 16 when the deadly tornado hit.

"For some reason, where we lived, we didn't get any cell service," she told FOX Weather. "So people were trying to message me telling me it was coming, but I wasn't getting any of the messages. I heard it coming."

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Hollifield lived her worst nightmare when the tornado hit their home, and she couldn’t find her son. 

"I didn't know if he was dead or alive," she said. "Thankfully, he was crying, and that’s how I was able to find him by listening, following his cry."

Parker, 2, survived the London, Kentucky tornado with his mother. (Tara Hollifield / FOX Weather)

Hollifield was able to reach Parker and pull him from the debris of their home.

Parker celebrates his 2nd birthday on May 30 and is doing OK after the storm. His mother was injured and has some scratches and bruises. 

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"For the first couple of days, I think, you know, it was a little rough on him," Hollifield said. "Now, he's acting like his normal self again, like nothing really ever even happened."

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LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 18: Sarah, a volunteer from Knoxville, Tennessee, puts an American flag up on May 18, 2025 in the community of Sunshine Hills outside of London, Kentucky. A tornado struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills just after midnight on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky.   (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images) ( )

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LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Members from a local church pray with Tony and Joe McFall, who lost their father and step-mother during the tornado in the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. A tornado struck communities in Somerset and London, Kentucky, leaving over 10 dead and more injured.  (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images) ( )

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Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)

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LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Mark Sexton kisses his daughters dog after it was pulled out of the debris of his parent's house following the tornado that struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. A tornado struck communities in Somerset and London, Kentucky, leaving over 10 dead and more injured.  (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images) ( )

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LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Payson Sexton, 13, is reunited with her dog after it was trapped in her grandparent's house following the tornado that struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. A tornado struck communities in Somerset and London, Kentucky, leaving over 10 dead and more injured.  (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images) ( )

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Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)

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Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)

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Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)

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Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)

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Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)

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Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)

Hollifield said after this scary ordeal, she plans to be more weather-aware. Nocturnal tornadoes, such as the London tornado, can be more deadly because they hit when people are least prepared. 

The cleanup in Laurel County continues, with support from neighbors and around the country.

"They've been amazing," Hollifield said. "When we've been there. There's always been hundreds of people, helping people, trying to see if there's any items that are salvageable, helping pick up debris. They've been out there giving food and water. The community's been amazing."

Nineteen people died during the tornadoes on May 16 in Kentucky, and 10 others were seriously injured.