UPPER DARBY, Pa. (WPVI) — A nightmare scenario in Upper Darby was thwarted by a good Samaritan last week.
According to authorities, the stranger stepped in to help after hearing screams near his home on Oct. 15.
Surveillance video shows the suspect, Khrishon Parker, approaching Shianna Carter as she arrived home with her 2-year-old daughter, Layla, in her arms on the 7000 block of Emerson Avenue in Upper Darby.
You hear Carter scream and then run.
“He grabs me and grabbed my daughter, like, ‘give me my daughter,’ and punches and shoves me. I’m not letting my daughter go, and he rips my daughter’s shirt,” said Carter.
Sean Miller told Action News he heard those screams and didn’t hesitate to come to Carter’s aid near Second Ward Park.
“I had him pressed up against the gate,” said Miller.”I just sprung right into action, didn’t think twice,” he said.
He said he rushed towards the Second Ward Park in Upper Darby and saw a mother with the toddler, and the man whom police identified as Khrishon Parker, allegedly trying to pull the baby away.
“I asked if she knew the offender. She didn’t know them. I just gave him a little shove.”
He said he pried the child away from the man and handed the toddler to its mother, but then something bizarre happened.
“He dropped down to his knees and started praying right here and then threw up,” recalled Miller.
Soon after, police arrived and apprehended Parker, who is now charged with kidnapping of a minor, assault, terroristic threats, and other charges. Charging documents say Parker is from Norristown, so it’s unclear why he was in the area.
Carter told Action News she suffered minor injuries but is OK, and Layla was uninjured.
She credits Miller for helping her while others would not.
“He came. He put a pause on him… Something is wrong with him. He’s probably on something, but please hold your kids tight. That’s all I can say.”
Those who frequent the park say it’s a nice, clean park for children.
“Do you feel safe here?” asked Chad Pradelli.
“I did. I still think I still do,” replied Michell Gardner of Upper Darby.
Miller downplayed his good Samaritan efforts and credits the mother for holding her ground.
“He had partial possession of the child. The mother fought tooth and nail. She wasn’t letting go of that baby.”
We tried to reach out to an attorney representing Parker, but so far, one has not been listed on court documents.
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