Door Dash Driver Rescues Toddler He Found Wandering Alone Wearing Just Diaper, Socks
A Door Dash driver rescued a toddler who was wearing only a diaper and pair of socks as he walked down Detroit's 8 Mile in blisteringly cold temperatures.
Robert Jackson III was on his way to make a Door Dash delivery at around 11 a.m. on Sunday morning when he saw something on the city's famous 8 Mile Road.
Speaking to Fox 2 Detroit, Jackson said: "I was going down 8 Mile, going east on 8 Mile. I saw something in the distance, but I wasn't sure what it was and as I got closer I noticed that's a kid. And I said: 'Oh my God.'"
Concerned for the child, Jackson stopped his vehicle, picked up the young boy and placed him in the car for warmth. Jackson then flagged down another driver and called 911 for help.
According to Fox 2 Detroit, the 2-year-old boy was wandering down the road wearing only a diaper and a pair of socks, while it was just 38 degrees outside.
It was not known how long the young boy had been outside and walking down 8 Mile before he was rescued.
Jackson imitated the child's shaking as he told the broadcaster: "He was standing in the middle of 8 Mile like this and all was shaking was his hands and his mouth. His lips were purple and his fingertips were purple."
He later said: "I jumped in the car and just to give the baby some body heat, more body heat because I had the heat on, I just held him."
The young boy was taken to hospital to be checked out and was said to be "doing OK," according to Fox 2 Detroit.
Detroit police later learned the child lived in a house less than a block away from where he was found.
Investigators told Fox 2 Detroit a 16-year-old sibling had been babysitting the child at the time he wandered out of the home.
According to the broadcaster, police and child protective services have opened an investigation to uncover more about what happened, although they do not believe it was intentional at this stage.
Speaking about his role in locating the child, Jackson said: "It feels good that I was there. I don't know how to explain it. I'm grateful I was there to help that child, that means a lot to me."
Tapping his heart with his hand, Jackson said: "It's got me right here."
Newsweek has contacted the Detroit Police Department and Michigan's Children's Protective Services for comment.
