A bus driver promptly stepped on her brakes when she saw a toddler walking in the street.
Milwaukee County Transit System’s (MCTS) bus driver Irena Ivic couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw a toddler walking by the street alone by a freeway overpass as she passed by near 4th and Mitchell, Milwaukee South Side area at 8 in the morning.
The toddler was wearing a red onesie with only a diaper and walking barefoot.
Irena went past the red light and stopped the bus by the curb.
She crossed the street to prevent the child from running toward the traffic and carried her safely to the bus.
Irena boarded the bus, where the rest of the passengers were waiting in awe of what had just happened.
“Oh my God, I was so upset, and I couldn’t believe that somebody can, left the child on the street. The baby was so scared and cried, and she didn’t know what to do, where to go.” Ivic told ABC News and said she was shaking as she carried the baby.
She immediately called the authorities to help her with the lost child.
Buses are equipped to alert authorities nearby in emergencies such as this one.
While waiting, Irena cuddled the child to calm her down.
A passenger stood and walked towards Irena to offer her jacket to keep the toddler warm.
Authorities arrived where Irena parked the bus a short time later.
Firefighters, police officers, and transit security officers saw the child fast asleep in Irena’s arms as they took the little one to their office to find her parents.
Thankfully, the toddler wasn’t injured or harmed but was scared and cold.
The police shared more information when they finally reunited the toddler with her father.
The child was only less than a year old and was brought outside by her mother, who left her nearby where Irena saw her.
Family and relatives of the mother confirmed that she was suffering from a mental health crisis that led her to leave her daughter alone.
We could only hope the mother is doing better and the child is in safe hands.
This wasn’t the only incident in the county in recent years.
Authorities revealed that this incident was the ninth one where an MCTS driver found a lost and found child along the street.
Thanks to these bus drivers who went above and beyond their jobs to save a child’s life.
MCTS officials honored Irena for her heroic act that saved that toddler.
Milwaukee Country Executive Chris Abele presented Irena with a Certificate of Excellence for showing exemplary service and showing what true MCTS excellence looks like.
“She did a lot more than her job. She did the right thing. I don’t take that kind of compassion for granted,” said County Executive Abele.
Watch how Irena saved this baby’s life in the video below.
