ORLANDO, Fla. — During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Nadia Bloom's mom said their daughter, who was missing in swampy woods for days, was doing great.
"She's doing great, she really is," Tanya Bloom said during the press conference held at Arnold Palmer Hospital (raw video | images).
PARENTS HOLD PRESSER: Raw Video | See Images VIDEO REPORT: Nadia's Parents Talk 911 CALL: Searcher James King Finds Nadia INTERVIEW: James King On GMA MAN WHO FOUND NADIA: Interview | Pics | Raw Video NADIA EMERGES: See Images | Watch Raw Video
Tanya said Nadia, who is 11 years old and mildly autistic, had a backpack with her to collect her "treasures" when she left for a bike ride Friday afternoon, but when she didn't return after an extended period of time her mom went to look for her.
"I drove down to the pond and saw her bike there with the helmet on it," Tanya said. "It didn't look like an area where Nadia went, because it was muddy."
After looking for some time with neighbors, Tanya called 911 to report that her daughter was missing, but was very clear that the American Girl book that has been reported on had nothing to do with her journey into the woods.
"I did hear the American Girl story," Tanya said. "Her sister read it, not her. She did not go out on a backyard adventure because of this book."
Tanya and Jeff Bloom, parents of three children, spoke at Arnold Palmer Hospital Wednesday afternoon to thank those involved with helping to find their missing daughter and to answer questions.
"The Winter Springs department was wonderful .... Seminole County, Orange County, other places coming in," Tanya said.
Nadia's Mom Tanya At Presser 041410 Nadia's mom Tanya spoke Wednesday afternoon about the ordeal and the miracle discovery. Nadia's mother said the girl was used to walking up to four miles and had endurance.
"She is now recovering. She'll probably be here for a few days. She has swollen feet and a lot of bug bites," Tanya said.
The man who found Nadia deep in the woods surrounding Lake Jesup, James King, wasn't someone the Blooms knew, saying they actually hadn't met him until the day before at a search. By time he found her, Nadia had spent 90 hours alone in the swampy environment.
"I think she was frightened. She wanted to come back home. I don't think she thought she would be found," Tanya said. "She was really praying."
But the couple also said they haven't pressed Nadia for too many specifics about her experiences in the woods.
"She told us all the creatures she saw and she collected some shells," Tanya said. "I asked, 'Did you eat anything? Did you drink anything?' She did not."
"When she got here, she was a little dehydrated," said Dr. Mary Ferrell, pediatric critical care, Arnold Palmer Hospital.
Nadia In Woods Rescue Photo 041310 Nadia was found dehydrated and covered in bug bites, but otherwise well. Dr. Ferrell said Nadia will be staying at the hospital to deal with bacteria in her blood.
"It really is pretty remarkable, given the time frame. To survive for four and a half, five days … it really is pretty remarkable," she said.
The family thanked Metro Life Church, where James King attends, for their assistance in the search, but said they hadn't attended the church for three years. They also extended their thanks to their current church, Covenant Community Church.
"It was a roller coaster ride, it really was," Tanya said. "God had his hand in this."
Nadia's mom said she didn't think twice about letting the 11-year-old go on a bike ride by herself, but said she probably won't let her go out on her own again for a little while and said they have already bought a GPS bracelet for her to wear.
"I didn't even hang up the phone. I almost busted the door," Jeff said of the moment he got the call that Nadia was found. "We're looking forward to the whole story. It's going to be awesome."
Dr. Ferrell said Nadia could be sent home within the next couple of days.
Previous Stories: April 14, 2010: Nadia Talks On 911 Call: "I'm The Girl Who Got Lost" April 14, 2010: Nadia To Rescuers: "Glad You Guys Found Me" April 13, 2010: Window Of Opportunity To Find Missing Girl Narrowing April 12, 2010: Doll May Have Inspired Missing Girl To Explore Woods April 11, 2010: Search Continues For Missing 11-Year-Old