Man Hailed As Hero After Girl, 7, Is Found Walking Alone In Snow Wearing Nothing But Onesie

Mar 10, 2021 by apost team

Chicago, Illinois, is known for its harsh winters. From December to March, everyone moves their lives inside. And when Chicagoans do have to brave the cold weather, they make sure to bundle up. Occasionally, however, the winter months can be dangerous, especially for those stuck on the streets without the proper attire. That was certainly the case this past February when Winter Storm Uri struck, slamming much of the central U.S. with record low temperatures and snowfall. While the Wind City was spared from the worst of the storm’s effects, Uri was the biggest winter storm the city has faced in years, leading to more than 18 inches of snow. In the middle of this February freeze, one Chicago child found herself stuck outside and alone during the storm, leading to what could have been a life-threatening situation — were it not for one good samaritan.

The Englewood community of Chicago, Illinois, is praising a father’s actions after he rescued a 7-year-old girl whom he found wandering alone in the snow during February's record-breaking winter storm.

Tony Taylor, a 46-year-old father, was driving through the south side of Chicago with his 5-year-old daughter near Washington Park at around 5 p.m. on Feb. 17, 2021, when he spotted the young girl. The 7-year-old child, who didn’t have shoes or a jacket on, was wearing a pink and blue onesie and carrying a computer in the freezing Chicago weather, which was around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Given that it can take just minutes for the dangerous effects of hypothermia to set in, Taylor likely saved the young girl’s life.

“I did what anyone should’ve done," Taylor told reporters at a press conference. "I jumped out of my car in traffic, stopped traffic, took my coat off, picked her up and I called 911.”

Taylor also took to Facebook, starting a live video, in hopes of identifying the girl and finding her parents. 

“Someone please come to 59th and Halsted. I have a little girl that’s lost. I just found her on 59th and Halsted,” he said in the video. “The little girl is lost. I’m trying to help her.”

According to Taylor’s account, the girl was shivering and crying so much that she couldn’t answer when he asked for the child’s name. At a press conference, Taylor added that it was clear to him that she had been walking for a long time. “Her feet,” he explained, “were like icicles.” While waiting for police to arrive, Taylor and his daughter helped the girl warm up in the car. Taylor’s 5-year-old child even hugged the child, telling her that she was going to pray for her.

“(The girl) just looked at me and said, ‘Mister, sir, I love you,'” Taylor told reporters. “And I said 'I love you too.' I said, 'You will be safe, and I called help and help is on the way.’ And she just said, ‘Thank you.’”

"When I put her in the car, it brought tears to my eyes," the 46-year-old father added.

At the press conference, Taylor confirmed that the unidentified child said that she “didn’t want to go home to mommy and daddy” because of how they treated her.

When authorities arrived on the scene, they transported the 7-year-old girl to Comer Children's Hospital where doctors evaluated the child and police placed her in protective custody.

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According to the Atlanta Black Star, Taylor accompanied the child to the hospital where he waited for five hours. The paper further reports that someone who claimed to be the young girl’s grandmother showed up at the hospital but then disappeared again after she said she had to move her car.

The Department of Family Services is investigating the girl’s case.

Taylor’s act of heroism received an outpouring of support within the Englewood community.

“This could’ve been a total different situation. We could’ve been standing here today offering reward amounts for a missing child. But instead we are standing here praising Tony and his wife," community activist Early Walker told reporters at the press conference.  Another community activist gifted the Taylor family plane tickets to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The response online was equally enthusiastic and warm.

“Thank you for being such a great human ❤,” Kay Gee commented on Tony Taylor’s Facebook video of the press conference. “I have a 7 year old and if something happened I would pray someone would help him get to safety. Thanks for proving there is still good in this world 🙏❤.”

“From the bottom of my heart thank you, don't change your generous heart❤❤,” Patricia Lynn added.

According to NBC Chicago, Taylor and his wife announced on Feb. 18, 2021, that they were considering adopting the child upon her hospital release. Since then, the 46-year-old father has started a GoFundMe campaign with a $2,500 goal to raise money for the young girl he found out in the cold.

“Hello my name is Tony Taylor,” the 46-year-old dad’s post reads. “I'm reaching out to all my Facebook family and friends for some help. I've decided to start a GoFundMe page for the little seven-year-old girl I found wandering the cold and frigid streets of Chicago with nothing on but a onesie. You may have seen the story on my Facebook live or the news.  Ever since that day she has been heavy on my heart, and I really want to help her. I'm (asking that) you contribute by donating as little or as much as you can. With a village of supporters, $1 can go a long way. She currently is with a guardian and the funds will help with food, clothes and other necessities. In advance thank you and God Bless.”

“I just want parents to be parents,” Taylor said. “Raise your child, be by your child, console your child. These times in Chicago are very bad. I was born and raised here. I’m 46 years old. And I’ve seen it all. And our youth these days, if they continue to see this it’s just going to be a cycle. And we don’t want it to be a cycle.”

Tony continues to post live videos on his Facebook page asking viewers to donate whatever they can to the child’s GoFundMe campaign.

“All I’m asking for is $1. That’s all I’m asking for,” Tony explained in a live video from Feb. 23. “She needs things. She’s with a guardian, but she needs things … She’s gonna always be in my heart. I’m always gonna think about her. And I want to be in her life.”

What do you think of Taylor’s story? What do you think will happen to this little girl? Let us know — and please pass this on to friends and family members so that we can celebrate this man’s good deed.