What started off as routine shift for a bus driver in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, turned out to be something extraordinary.
In a remarkable display of bravery, compassion and humanity, Irena Ivic, a Milwaukee County bus driver, rescued a barefooted baby girl on a freeway overpass just three days before Christmas last month.
On the morning of December 22, Ivic spotted the tiny tot, clad in just a red onesie, crying and running alone in frigid temperatures, according to WPVI, the ABC news affiliate in Milwaukee.
The incident, dramatically captured on video, is a much-needed reminder these days of the inherent kindness of strangers.
Upon seeing the child running alone on a bridge overpass, Ivic immediately stopped the bus.
She swiftly charged across the street and scooped up the child.
She brought the child onto the bus, held her and comforted her; a passenger then gave the child her jacket to help keep her warm.
In no time, the small toddler fell fast asleep in Ivic’s arms.
“Oh my God, I’m shaking,” Ivic can be heard saying in the video as she held the baby girl in her arms.
After authorities arrived, they were able to reunite the baby with her father, Hasan Ali Abdul Kasim, according to FOX6 Milwaukee.
Kasim told the news outlet he believed that his wife, whom he said has a mental illness, took the baby to a church across the freeway and later forgot about her.
The child was not harmed in the incident, fortunately, and no charges have been filed in the case.
Authorities say this is the ninth lost or missing child found by Milwaukee County Transit System drivers in recent years.
On Thursday, meanwhile, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele honored Ivic for her heroic actions.
“She did a lot more than her job. She did the right thing,” Abele said.
“I don’t take that kind of compassion for granted.”
Ivic, who has worked for the Milwaukee County Transit System for five years, is a mother and former schoolteacher.
And check out this dramatic video to see exactly what happened:
Elizabeth Economou is a former CNBC staff writer and adjunct professor. Follow her on Twitter.
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