Brighten Your Day

8-Year-Old Boy Saves Sister From Kidnapping

May 1, 2019

An 8-year-old boy helped his older sister escape a potential kidnapper at a hospital in Middletown, Ohio.

Chance, Skylar, Officer Kirby

"What do you see here? If three heroes was the answer then you are correct!" Middletown Police wrote on Facebook.

On Thursday, Chance, 8, and Skylar, 10, were traveling with their grandmother to the Atrium Medical Center. She parked outside the emergency room entrance to the hospital and helped a friend toward the door. The children remained in the back seat.

Within seconds a stranger hopped into the car and attempted to drive away with the children inside.

"The little boy opened the door to escape and the little girl started to jump out also but the man grabbed the hoodie of the little girl not allowing her to leave," Middleton Police wrote on Facebook. "As she tried to get away, her little brother grabbed hold of her and pulled her away from the kidnapper and they both tumbled out of the vehicle as it was moving."

The grandmother of the children, 69-year-old Nita Coburn, made a valiant effort to save the kids by trying to grab onto a door before being dragged and forced to let go.

The children and the grandmother did not suffer any injuries and the suspect was caught by police.

"This little guy is a hero. No question," Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw said in a statement.

"He pulled his sister out of the car with no concern for his own safety. That is incredible at his age and outstanding work by Officers Kirby and Engleka to find the suspect and take him down without incident. So proud of their work."