Close Ad

Quick-Thinking Dad Saves 3-Year-Old Daughter From Kidnapping Attempt In Broad Daylight
Doting Dad
Everyday Heroes

Quick-Thinking Dad Saves 3-Year-Old Daughter From Kidnapping Attempt In Broad Daylight

One father’s heroics brought his little girl home safe and served as a crucial reminder for all parents.

For kids, parks are a safe place where friendships are made and games are played.


That was the scene at the Regional Park in front of Freddie Cantrell's home where his two daughters -- 3-year old Aubrey and 6-year-old Nathalie -- were playing, with their mother and stepdad present.

Things suddenly took a scary turn. It all took place in front of Nathalie, who recalled the chilling details to CBS Sacramento.

"The guy walked up and started dragging Aubrey and running with her and skipping with her."

-Freddie Cantrell's daughter Nathalie

Dad dashes to the scene

The girls' mother and stepdad both raced towards the man. When he heard their shouts, Cantrell bolted out of his house and darted straight towards the man. An intense fight followed.

“He tried to swing at me with handcuffs wrapped around his fingers and try to use them as brass knuckles, and that’s when I just took action and tried to knock him out,” Cantrell said.

Cantrell overpowered the man and held him until police arrived. 26-year-old Yonel Hernandez-Velasco was ultimately arrested for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon.

Cantrell’s actions served as a serious wakeup call for parents in the neighbourhood. 

“You see the bad stuff on the news and hope it’s not going to happen to your kids, so you've got to just keep an eye out I guess,” said April McGuinness, a mother, and neighbour who lives nearby.

Her 11-year-old son agreed.

“It’s better than me having to get kidnapped because I come here alone,” he added.

Parents: stay on watch

Cantrell brushes off any praise by saying it's just his daddy duty.

"They’re saying ‘Oh you’re a hero for saving that little girl,’ Well that little girl is my daughter, and I’m just doing the fatherly thing."

- Freddie Cantrell

As the old cliché goes, kids grow up in the blink of an eye. However, this story shows that a split second is all it takes for a childhood to disappear.

While Cantrell deserves credit for acting quickly and courageously, his story is a reminder for all parents to keep a close eye on their precious kids. While they might complain in the moment that you're embarrassing them, they'll thank you in the end for keeping them safe.

More uplifting stories:

Hot Stories

Why Jennifer Hudson Forgave Her Mother's Killer -- Life Stories By Goalcast

At the peak of her career, Jennifer Hudson faced a horrific family tragedy. Hudson's mother and brother were brutally attacked in their family home, and her seven-year-old nephew was kidnapped. What followed was a heart-wrenching manhunt to rescue her nephew and seek justice against the man who took her family. Hudson speaks from the heart in this video on what happened to her family and how she was able to move forward.

Celebrities
ideas and thinking

bright ideas

The 21st century has brought great new opportunities for entrepreneurs. The digital revolution has completely changed the way we live -- and the landscape for aspiring CEOs and innovators.

powerful-business-woman

Keep ReadingShow less
Entrepreneurs
Lots of Dollar Bills

Save what you have to double what you make.

Everyone talks about money -- some because they don’t have enough, some wish to make more, and some are simply obsessed with it. It has always been this way, but nowadays, making money seems to be the main goal on everyone’s 'to do' list.

We’ve never had so many options when it comes to products, technology and services, and salesmen constantly try to convince us that we need them all to live a happier and easier life. But do we?

Keep ReadingShow less
Authors