Atlanta Do-Gooders Respond After Officer Shares Family's Plight

ATLANTA, GA -- A heartwarming story involving an Atlanta police officer's good deed has led to a stream of people vowing to help a local family in need. Atlanta Police Officer Che Milton responded to a call about a 12-year-old girl being held in a Family Dollar for alleged shoplifting.

The girl told Milton that although she couldn't afford to buy them, she wanted to bring a pair of $2 shoes to her 5-year-old sister, who desperately needed them. The exchange prompted Milton to look further into the girl's home conditions were like, so he offered to give her a ride home.

Officer Milton came to learn that the girl was the eldest child of four, with the youngest being a newborn. The mother told the officer that she didn't work because she couldn't afford day care; her husband frequently works out of town but for little pay. Inside the home, there was hardly any food, not enough beds for the kids and the only furniture was an old couch.

Moved by the family's living conditions, Officer Milton reached out to the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services to see if a social work could assist. He also paid for and delivered four pizzas and two large drinks for the family. But it didn't stop there, the Atlanta Police Department sought to help the family further, so they have rallied around them.

The call from the APD went out this week to donate items to assist them. On Facebook, APD said it would set up a donation drop-off.

"If you would like to donate items to support the family, please drop them off at the Zone 1 precinct located at 2315 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. Donations will be accepted from 8 am – 6 pm, Monday - Friday." There has been an overwhelming response.

An Atlanta family is getting the help it needs because of a stellar example of community policing. Officer Milton didn't publicize this incident nor was he looking for recognition from it, but another officer saw fit to share this story with Atlanta and the world -- and we're all thankful for it.

Image via APD / Facebook