Teen Who Survived Massive Ravine Fall While Skateboarding Is Now Back Home

Dakota “Cody” Trenkle Jr.—the 13-year-old who survived a 240 ft fall into a ravine and went missing for 3 days—is finally home after a month-long hospital stay. Cody had been skateboarding in Missouri when he fell and suffered multiple brain bleeds and skull fractures, as well as other injuries and weakened kidneys.

Teen Survives 240 ft Fall

A police dog found Cody in the ravine, and Cody was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where doctors placed him in a medically induced coma for two weeks.

When he woke from the coma, he used sign language to tell his mom, “I love you.”

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His mom was just overjoyed that he recognized her when she woke up.

“That moment was pivotal to me. It’s made the last couple weeks of stress, heartache, hope, gratitude, sadness, and pain worth it because that small gesture meant my boy was coming back to me,” his mom, Stephanie, said at the time.

“I am hopeful to return to school in the very near future and I am counting down the days until I can skateboard again, but I know my brain and skull need to heal,” Dakota said upon leaving the hospital.

Teen Who Fell 240 Feet Into Ravine Goes Home After 1 Month in Hospital: ‘My Brain and Skull Need to Heal’ (Exclusive) https://t.co/PZIMogo0QQ

— People (@people) September 7, 2025

He’s Happy to Be Home After One Month Hospital Stay

Stephanie says her son has adjusted well since coming home.

“He does still have some struggles physically with balance, coordination and strength as well as some short-term memory loss,” Stephanie said. “He gets pretty frustrated with both, but we are taking the necessary steps to help him make a full turn around and get back to being 100% Cody. He has quite the extensive therapy and follow-up schedule.”

Cody will have to get physical therapy twice a week. He’ll have occupational and speech therapies once a week and will have to go to neurology, liver, and psychiatric appointments.

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But it’s all worth it to have him home again.

Stephanie said previously, “I’ve known he was a fighter since he was born. He was born super preemie and he fought for his life then, and now, almost 14 years later, he’s doing it again. He’s proving to them, “I’m fighting, I’m still here, I can survive.’”

Dakota may not be back to 100% just yet, but he’s still had a miraculous recovery, all things considered!

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h/t: People

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.