After Effects Animation Help!

[Emerald2K]

I am making an animation within Adobe After Effects, which is nearly done, however, I do not want to waste time on this specific part (pictured) where the arm is parented with a static object.  Is there a way to animate the body while the arm just follows it, as if it were free moving?  At the moment the arm stays still and everything else moves.  I have tried parenting but to no avail.  Please help!

[Byron Cortez]

Show us with a screen capture all your interface of your Ae to try to see if there is something strange.

[Emerald2K]

I just want to know how layers can be connected to an animated layer, with the said layers following the animated layer like a dangling rope on a boat.  The boat's animated, but the rope follows.