Bus Drivers Rescue Toddler Who Was Inside Stolen Vehicle; Teen Charged

KENTWOOD, MI — A teen is accused of stealing a car with a 2-year-old inside and abandoning the toddler, who was rescued by school bus drivers in western Michigan, according to reports.

The incident occurred last week in Kentwood, shortly after 8 a.m. Oct. 4, according to police, who said a vehicle was stolen with a child inside and the toddler was abandoned roadside before being safely reunited with his parents.

Video published by FOX 17 shows the toddler’s parents frantically flagging down a bus driven by Dave Skinner and explaining the situation. A separate video released by the station showed bus driver Sue Figueroa retrieving the child from a driveway, putting him on the bus and bringing the boy to his family.

Skinner contacted the police as well as his colleagues, according to FOX 17. Transportation department employee Kristen Nickelson, who was in an office, provided Figueroa with details about what happened, so Figueroa, who had passed the toddler, went back for the child, FOX 17 reported.

The stolen car was found in Grand Rapids shortly after the theft, police said.

The 16-year-old thought to be connected to the incident is charged with child abandonment, unlawful driving, property destruction and obstructing law enforcement, according to News Channel 3.

Skinner, Figueroa and Nickelson were honored for their heroic actions by the Kelloggsville Public Schools Board of Education and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to the school district.