Kentucky Family Rescues Newborn Calf from Deep Freeze

The Sorrell family brought the struggling calf inside their home, where it cuddled up on the couch with their children.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:23pm

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As extreme cold weather hit Kentucky, a family in Mount Sterling found a newborn calf struggling in the freezing temperatures on their farm. They quickly brought the calf inside their home, where they warmed it up, dried it off, and let it rest on their couch alongside their young children.

Why it matters

The story highlights how families in rural areas often go to great lengths to care for their livestock, even bringing them into their own homes when necessary to protect them from harsh winter conditions. It also shows the compassion of the Sorrell family in taking in the vulnerable calf and ensuring its survival.

The details

The calf was born outdoors in single-digit temperatures on the Sorrell family's farm. When Tanner Sorrell went to check on the pregnant mother, he found the newborn calf "frozen" with ice on its body and umbilical cord. To avoid losing another calf to frostbite like they had the previous winter, the family quickly brought the baby inside, used a blow dryer to warm it up, and got it "all fluffed out." The calf then curled up on the family's couch, cuddling with the Sorrell's young children.

  • The calf was born on Saturday in the extreme cold.
  • The family brought the calf inside their home that same day.

The players

Macey Sorrell

A Kentucky woman whose family owns a farm and rescued a newborn calf struggling in the deep freeze.

Tanner Sorrell

Macey Sorrell's husband, who discovered the struggling newborn calf on the family's farm.

Gregory Sorrell

The Sorrell family's 3-year-old son, who named the rescued calf "Sally" after a character from his favorite movie.

Sally

The newborn calf that the Sorrell family rescued from the extreme cold and brought into their home.

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What they’re saying

“She was just frozen. Her umbilical cord looked like a popsicle. It was just frozen.”

— Macey Sorrell (Los Angeles Times)

“When we brought her in, she had ice on her. The afterbirth was still on her, I had to wipe all that off. I took out the blow dryer and warmed her up, and got her all fluffed out.”

— Macey Sorrell (Los Angeles Times)

“They crawled up next to her like it was just the most normal thing.”

— Macey Sorrell (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The Sorrell family has reunited the calf, now named Sally, with its mother and the calf is reported to be doing well.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story demonstrates the lengths that rural families will go to protect their livestock, even bringing them into their own homes during extreme weather conditions. It highlights the compassion and adaptability of the Sorrell family in ensuring the survival of the vulnerable newborn calf.