Close Ad

justice

Police Officer Spots Woman and Her Kids in Jail - Does Something Without Informing His Own Precinct
Uplifting News

Police Officer Spots Woman and Her Kids in Jail - Does Something Without Informing His Own Precinct

The police officer tells them to follow him. They do, and their lives will be forever changed.A Shocking Police Station ScenePhoto by Francois OlwagePolice officers like Brian Russell have pretty much seen it all. At least that's what the 25 year veteran of the Butler County, Ohio force thought.But one evening when he saw someone, it prompted him to do something they don't teach at the academy. He even made sure to be discreet about it. However, all the details are eventually made public when the other person posts them online. When they do, it causes an uproar both on social media and the precinct.What One Police Officer Saw in the LobbyThere they were, sprawled out in the jail lobby. When the officers see them, they do what they can. One thing is for sure: the unexpected visitors don't have much time. When Russell catches wind of their story, he goes off script, telling them to get up and follow him to his police cruiser. They pack in as he calmly drives them to...Walmart.Wait, what?That's because Russell isn't driving a felon but a family. It's Tierra Gray and her two young sons, Zaire and Shawn. As per the Daily Mail, they had been sleeping in the Butler County jail lobby after Gray had been evicted after missing one rent payment. "I never thought I'd go through that, I mean, to that point. That right there was my breaking point," recalls Gray.They were staying with friends and family, however when that ran out, they turned up in the lobby as a last resort. Police officers provided them blankets and let them stay that night. That's when Russell decides to dispatch his brand of social justice.How a Kind Cop Helped a Family in NeedPhoto by Tierra MallorcaWith the motivation to take action, Russell takes the Grays to Walmart to buy the boys new shoes and clothes. Then, when unable to find them a shelter, he puts them up for 10 days at a local Comfort Inn -- all on his dime."The kids shouldn't be sleeping in a jail lobby. The kids shouldn't be sleeping under a bridge," Russell tells Inside Edition. Yet, that only buys the family a few days before they face the same dire fate of being in the streets. That's when this case takes one last wild twist.Accompanied by Officer Russell, Gray ushers her boys into a room and counts to three. "Open your eyes - this is your new place!" she bellows. The boys excitedly explore their new home like it's Christmas Day. It's courtesy of Russell, who manages to find them a place at the eleventh hour. Gray was so touched by Russell's kindness that she shared it all on Facebook."This officer, Officer Brian Russell, from Butler County Sheriff's Department, has truly blessed me and my family," she posts, with a picture of her family and the officer.It's not long before the world catches wind.How a Cop Proves the Importance of GenerosityThe news eventually finds Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, who admits that the gesture was news to him as well. "This is a true act of kindness. He did not tell anyone at work what he had done but the lady took a picture with him and posted it on Facebook," he says. As for Russell, helping a family find a happy home is motivation -- and reward enough."It's nice, it's a nice feeling. They're happier than what they were a week ago," he says humbly. When police officers are often asked about their biggest success, many will point to the big arrest, taking a criminal off the street. It's nice to see an officer who took one family off the street and into a home. Now that's sweet justice.More from Goalcast:92-Year-Old Veteran Calls Police for Help – Responding Officer Makes Horrific Discovery at His Home4-Year-Old Boy Accidentally Calls 911 – Shares Something With the Police Officers That Has Them Coming BackEx-con Witnesses a Police Officer Getting Shot During a Fight – Doesn’t Hesitate to Make the Right Choice

78-Year-Old Forced to Sleep Outside After Her Son-In-Law Evicts Her From Her Own Home - Her Furious Neighbors Have Had Enough
Uplifting News

78-Year-Old Forced to Sleep Outside After Her Son-In-Law Evicts Her From Her Own Home - Her Furious Neighbors Have Had Enough

There are all kinds of injustices in this world, and many of them can be brought on by a court decision or a person in a position of authority. Often, that makes an unfair situation even more infuriating. But in the case of this Colombian woman being evicted from her home, it also inspired an entire community to rally around her.A Devastating Turn of EventsA 78-year-old woman in Villas de Navarra, Colombia, began living in the streets last November after her ex-son-in-law had her evicted. It was a tragic turn of events for Nelly Marín de Álvarez, who had for the longest time dedicated herself to taking care of her grandson and paying the taxes on the house, according to TN International.You see, the woman’s daughter had died in a car accident, and her son-in-law decided he no longer wanted her in the home. So he went to the court, and they agreed. The eviction notice was served while Álvarez was out, and officials put a padlock on her door. She wasn’t allowed to collect her personal belongings, and since then, she has been wearing the clothes she had on that day.“Since she was not there at the time they came, they put the padlock and left her outside. They did not notify her of anything, she arrived, and the padlock was on,” one neighbor explained to the publication.An Upset Community Considering the woman had lived in that house for years, paid the taxes, and raised her grandson (who now resides in the U.S.), neighbors everywhere were furious when they found out what had happened to Álvarez. Since that day, she’s been sleeping at the entrance of her home, her health has deteriorated, and you can see the sadness on her face, neighbors have reported.Now, they’re rallying together and trying to get answers. People are helping her with food and clothing where possible. Some have enlisted the help of a defense attorney. They have placed flags and banners outside her home to raise awareness. And everyone is waiting to see whether they can get clarification on who actually owns the property. And if not? Well, some neighbors say they’re not above using force to enter the home and retrieve the woman’s property."As soon as we saw that she was there, we offered her lodging, even food, clothing, and what is necessary so that she can bathe and wash her clothes,” another neighbor added to Nación. “I do not know the reasons that the judge had to decide she had to sleep outside.” Speaking Out Against InjusticeWhile we’re still waiting to hear the results of the community’s efforts to help Álvarez, this story is a great reminder that when you see something that you know isn’t right, it’s important to speak out and help.Standing up for what you believe, identifying behaviors that aren’t okay, setting limits, and being an ally are all great ways to speak out against injustice and help others who sometimes need their voices amplified. It’s always more important to speak out for what is right than to worry about how others perceive you, as that’s when true change happens.Because at the end of the day, it’s only when we work together that we can make the world a better place.

Stranger Meets Woman at Gas Station and Kidnaps Her - After Nearly a Year, Her Quick-Thinking Saves Her Life
Uplifting News

Stranger Meets Woman at Gas Station and Kidnaps Her - After Nearly a Year, Her Quick-Thinking Saves Her Life

Last December, an unidentified woman finally escaped a living nightmare thanks to a deadbolt and some kind folks at a New Jersey gas station. Now, others are spreading the word to prove yet again how the kindness of strangers can help to put things right in this world.A Living NightmareYouTube/ Inside EditionJane Doe met a man named James W. Parrillo Jr. in February 2022 at a gas station in New Mexico, according to CBS News. In a report, Doe revealed that Parrillo used the name Brett Parker and asked her to drive him to Arizona. She did, and they started a consensual relationship. Once they got to California, though, things changed.RELATED: How One Victim’s Incredible Act of Bravery Ended a Decade of Horrific KidnappingsIt was there he reportedly physically assaulted her for the first time. Doe wanted to leave, but Parrillo had taken her phone and cards, leaving her unable to contact her family or escape. He kept her by his side as they traveled across the country, and every day she thought of ways to flee.When the couple landed in New Jersey at the end of the year, the woman finally saw her chance.A Daring EscapeThere was a gas station close to where Parrillo had rented a room for them, and Doe noticed there was a deadbolt on the inside of the door. So one day, when he began beating her, she fled.“Parrillo began beating and choking her during an argument inside the residence, which they shared with several other individuals,” the attorney general's office said in a release, as per CBS News. “Parrillo allegedly ceased assaulting the woman when he realized the two were not alone in the house, and she ran from the house with nothing on but shorts and a shirt in the 42-degree weather.”RELATED: After the Capture: Where Is Kidnapping Victim Elizabeth Smart 19 Years After Being Rescued?Doe ran right to the gas station, locked the door, and told someone working there she had been kidnapped for about a year. Security footage shows Parrillo following her and trying to get in but then fleeing on a bike as workers calmed the woman down and called authorities."The lady came running, like barefoot, and she was like, ‘he kidnapped me,'” gas station attendant Jamie Garthaus told an NBC News station. “So, we ran inside and locked the door.”Parrillo was picked up by police not far from there and charged with kidnapping, strangulation, aggravated assault, and criminal restraint.A Terrifying History After Parrillo was arrested, his real background came out. Two other women had previously accused him of kidnapping them for about a year each, but no charges were ever laid. Now, thanks to the kindness of strangers and quick thinking from the woman herself, he can’t hurt anyone else.RELATED: 9-Year-Old Girl and Her Baby Brother Kidnapped at 7-Eleven – She Follows Her Gut and Saves Her Brother’s Life“The defendant allegedly held a woman against her will for nearly a year while traveling with her throughout the country before ending up here in New Jersey, where she was able to escape,” added New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin in a statement.“We are reaching out to law enforcement across jurisdictions to identify other people who may have additional information on the defendant. Our investigation is ongoing, and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure we bring justice to this survivor.”Coming TogetherWhat this woman went through is unimaginable and awful, yet stories like this do happen. Thankfully, the woman's quick-thinking allowed her to escape, but it was also the kindness of those working at the gas station that helped catch this man in the end. Had they ignored her pleas for help or shrugged off what she told them and opened the door, who knows what might have happened?Doing nothing or being complacent sometimes makes you a part of the problem, not the solution, and this story is a gentle reminder of that. So the next time you see someone in need or a situation that doesn’t look right, don’t be afraid to question it, speak out, or follow up to make sure that everything is, indeed, okay.Jane Doe has the gas station attendants to thank for her successful escape that day, and she won’t soon forget them.