Surveillance footage shows a bus driver rescuing a young barefoot child who was wandering on a freeway overpass.
The rescue took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Dec. 22, 2018. The footage was released on Jan. 10.
The Milwaukee County Transit System said that Irena Ivic, a driver for the system, was driving a bus when she spotted “something shocking” in front of the vehicle.
“A lost baby was wandering alone on a freeway overpass near 4th and Mitchell in Milwaukee. The child, who was less than one-year-old, was barefoot and wearing just a onesie and diaper,” the system stated.
“Irena stopped her bus, ran across the busy street, picked up the crying child, and carried the little one to safety. As Irena called for help, a passenger gave up her coat to help keep the baby warm. The child was cold to the touch after spending time outside in the freezing temperatures.”
Our @RideMCTS drivers do so much more than drive a bus. They're eyes and ears in our community, and many times they provide helping hands. Kudos to my new friend Irena Ivic for not hesitating to help a lost baby she found walking alone on a freeway overpass. #MCTSExcellence pic.twitter.com/L5WL0DWNaL
— Chris Abele (@ChrisAbeleMKE) January 10, 2019
The baby soon fell asleep in Ivic’s arms.
A short time later, firefighters and other emergency personnel arrived on the scene.
An investigation revealed that the baby’s mother left the child outside. Police officers said the mother may have been suffering from a mental health crisis. The baby was reunited with his father.
Hasan Ali Abdul Kasim, the baby’s father, told Fox 6 that his wife took the baby to a nearby church but forgot about her. No criminal charges were filed.
Ivic said that she was happy to help.
“Irena says she’s just grateful that she was able to help,” the press release from the system stated.
“Oh my God I was so upset,” Ivic added to Fox 6. “Baby was so scared and cried. I couldn’t believe that somebody left the child on the street.”
Ivic, originally from Serbia, has lived in Milwaukee for 12 years and has been a transit system employee for five years.
She was honored on Jan. 10 by Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and officials with the transit system.
“She did a lot more than her job. She did the right thing,” Abele said. “I don’t take that kind of compassion for granted.”
Bus Driver Saves Money to Buy Christmas Gifts
This is Curtis Jenkins, a bus driver for our school. He asked every kid on the bus what they wanted for Christmas and…
In another instance of community spirit, a school bus driver in Dallas, Texas, bought gifts for every student on his route, according to his school district.
Curtis Jenkins, a driver for Lake Highlands Elementary School, asked each child what they wanted for Christmas. With his own money and some help from community members, he was able to purchase all the gifts for the children, according to ABC News.
In all, there were 70 gifts for the children. The children found out about the gifts when they were picked up on Dec. 21.
Lake Highlands Elementary posted photos of the gifts and Curtis on its Facebook page, where the post has been shared thousands of times.
“He asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas and kept a list,” Jennifer Wilcox, the school’s PTA president, told ABC. “I believe his motivation was to bless the kids and to put smiles on their faces.”
Jenkins, meanwhile, told ABC that he wanted to buy the gifts to “magnify loving and caring.”
One of the children asked Jenkins if he was Santa Claus.
“Kids these days need to see positivity,” Jenkins said. “If you show a lot of kids a lot of love they will do the same,” he added.
Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
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