A 9-year-old boy in Jacksonville, Florida, who was selling water on a street corner, was saved from a kidnapping attempt thanks to the quick thinking and bravery of a local resident. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on June 27 at the intersection of Edgewood Avenue and Moncrief Road.
The boy was approached by a woman, later identified as 22-year-old Mikaya Williams, who he did not recognize. Williams allegedly told the boy to get into her car, claiming his mother had instructed him to do so. She then put the boy’s cooler in the back of her vehicle and forced him inside.
The boy reported that once inside the car, he was terrified and began to cry, shake, and scream. Williams allegedly responded by turning up the car radio and driving at high speed.
Shameika Dowell, a local resident who knew the boy and his family, witnessed the alleged abduction and immediately took action. Dowell followed Williams in her own car, eventually managing to corner the suspect’s vehicle. She then ran up to the car and kicked the passenger door until it opened, allowing her to rescue the boy and his cooler.
Dowell recounted the harrowing experience to local NBC affiliate WJAX, expressing her disbelief at witnessing a child being abducted and her determination to act quickly to ensure his safety.
Following the incident, Williams was arrested by local law enforcement and the boy was safely returned to his family. During her arrest, Williams claimed she was under the influence of her “crazy medicine” at the time of the incident.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office praised Dowell’s actions in a Facebook post, thanking her for her heroic intervention. Williams is currently being held without bond at the Jacksonville jail on a charge of kidnapping. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 21.