<a href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/carjacker-abandons-infant-on-sidewalk-but-good-samaritan-having-a-frustrating-day-ends-up-in-the-perfect-spot-to-help" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
On July 3, chaos erupted in Chicago when 39-year-old Jeremy Ochoa, with 15 felony convictions to his name, carjacked an SUV with a 7-month-old baby still buckled in the backseat. In a scene that sounds lifted from an action movie, Ochoa allegedly dragged the baby’s mother before speeding off, only to abandon the infant a few miles away, leaving her outside St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Talk about a plot twist—who leaves a baby behind while carjacking? The mind boggles!
Enter Earl Abernathy, who was stuck in traffic without air conditioning during one of Chicago’s sweltering summer days. While contemplating his air conditioning woes, he heard the cries of the abandoned baby and jumped out of his car to help. After ensuring the baby was safe, he called 911 and even went live on Facebook, hoping to find her family. It’s heartening to see a Good Samaritan in action, especially when everyone else seemed too busy to notice the poor little one in need.
The baby was soon reunited with her family, who were, understandably, in a state of panic until they got the good news. Ochoa didn’t get far and was arrested shortly after on charges that include aggravated vehicular hijacking. This story highlights how sometimes profoundly inconvenient moments lead to unexpected heroism. So, what would you do if you were in Earl’s shoes—would you stop and help despite everything else going on in your life?
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