Two School Bus Drivers Hailed as Heroes After Saving Toddler in Michigan Carjacking

Dave Skinner Kelloggsville Public Schools Sue Figueroa James Alston Kristin Nickelson Kentwood Police Department Kentwood Police Department Detective Bureau carjacking

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Oct 15, 01:06 am

A two-year-old boy has finally been reunited with his parents after a suspected carjacking in Michigan, all thanks to the effort and teamwork of two school bus drivers. Dave Skinner, a driver for Kelloggsville Public Schools in the Grand Rapids area, was on his shift when two parents suddenly flagged down his school bus in Kentwood, Michigan.

Skinner recounted to the news outlet that the couple screamed at her that somebody had stolen their vehicle with their baby in it. He revealed that he quickly dialed 911 and also alerted fellow drivers via radio. Fortunately, Sue Figueroa, a fellow bus driver, was paying attention. She had observed a child along the side of a road and quickly turned her bus around. Figueroa added that she saw a child around the corner standing with a blanket on, referring to a surveillance video from her school bus.

She was able to return the boy who had been left on the side of the road by the carjacker and wrapped the little child in a blanket. Her actions were caught on camera in the bus surveillance video. After a few minutes, the anxious parents were reunited after Figueroa drove the kid to where his parents were waiting.

Authorities and parents extend gratitude to the bus drivers

Kelloggsville Public Schools Superintendent, James Alston, told the news outlet that Mr. Dave Skinner and Ms. Sue Figeroa did an awesome job in getting the toddler back with his parents. He also thanked Kristin Nickelson, director of transportation, who was coordinating both the radio and the buses during the time as the three coordinated and exert extreme effort that solves the problem.

Nickelson added the incident could have been worse if not for the two driver's efforts. The mom was terrified and the director cannot imagine what it would have been like not knowing where her child was. She also called the two school bus drivers heroes for their quick actions that day. Skinner added that he doesn't know if they're heroes as drivers are commonly attentive to all the kids in the neighborhoods while picking kids up. Thus, if they see something strange or weird, they quickly get on the radio and holler back.

Kentwood Police Department is now looking for the suspected carjacker as the stolen car have also been located in Grand Rapids a short time later, per Good Morning America (GMA). Authorities are asking the general public for help in the search for the thief. Officials asked the public to reach out to the Kentwood Police Department Detective Bureau and contact 616-656-6604. For those tips that want to be anonymous, submit them to Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or SilentObserver.or

Preventing possible car jack incidents

Trust your instinct, thus, if something makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable or if you think someone is following you. Get into the car quickly and immediately lock the doors and drive away. Always park in well-lighted areas and avoid parking in an area that limits your visibility.

Even if you are rushed, make sure to look around before getting into the car. Remain alert to your surroundings. If carjacking happens to you and the suspect threatens you with a gun, give up your cat as your life is worth more than your car. Do not start an argument and get away from the area as quickly as possible. Village of Glenco to try to remember what the carjacker looked like including special features and clothes.