With a split second to react, bystanders jump in to save baby from kidnapping near Ponce City Market

ATLANTA — Two individuals who helped save a child from being kidnapped whereas on the Atlanta BeltLine final week mentioned Tuesday that they didn’t have time to suppose or be afraid; they jumped in to assist, immediately and instinctively.

It was Thursday, April 21, at about 11:00 a.m., on a stretch of the Beltline close to Ponce Metropolis Market and North Avenue, NE, after they witnessed a person attacking the lady and child.

“This man was attacking her and the child, 4 months outdated,” mentioned Terri Duda, describing the second when she was using her bicycle on the path, as she typically does, and noticed the child and woman–the kid’s babysitter–just forward of her, being assaulted.

The girl was “screaming and yelling, ‘This man is attacking me!’” Duda mentioned.

She immediately intervened, as did one other bicyclist.

“A gentleman in a shiny, yellow, fluorescent jersey reached into his again jersey pocket and pulled out pepper spray,” Duda mentioned, talking of Gordon Ragan.

“It was only a break up second, actually,” Ragan mentioned.

He remembers that when he noticed the person attempting to seize the child’s stroller and heard the lady’s screams, he drove his bicycle straight between them, forcing the person to again away from the lady and child.

“It was identical to, I search for and it is taking place after which I am on them,” Ragan mentioned.

He and Duda mentioned that when the person noticed Ragan pull out the pepper spray, the person took off down the BeltLine.

Ragan adopted him, whereas Duda stayed with the lady and child, and referred to as 911.

“I instructed her, you realize, ‘I am going to stick with you,’” she mentioned. “We have been alone for an excellent quarter-hour, and I instructed her to breathe. And I referred to as 911 and she or he referred to as her boss… the mother of the child, who got here. I simply type of stayed with the nanny and type of soothing her, and simply calming her down and letting her know she did an amazing job. As a result of she actually did. I imply, she referred to as consideration to it and let the folks know that she was there defending the child.”

Ragan adopted the person to the close by Kroger grocery store, and located two safety officers and a retired Fulton County Police officer. He identified the person to them, instructed them what he’d simply witnessed the person do, and so they held the person till police arrived.

“It appeared like everybody was leaping in to assist,” Ragan mentioned. “And that made me really feel good.”

He and Duda each keep in mind a number of others on the BeltLine that morning attempting to help the lady and child, and maintain eyes on the person till police arrived.

“She was so grateful they bought him,” Duda mentioned. “I simply admire humanity and the way everybody got here collectively in that second to assist this girl. And I simply really feel proud to be part of that.”

She and Ragan had by no means met earlier than the incident, and haven’t talked with one another since. They’re each again using their bikes on the BeltLine.

“I am extra cautious,” Duda mentioned. “I bought my very own pepper spray on-line yesterday. I do not go within the components of Piedmont Park which might be a bit extra remoted. So, I am extra cautious and nervous. I am nonetheless going to take pleasure in it. However, yeah, it made me have second ideas.”

Ragan mentioned he’s since thought of what he did–confronting the lady’s attacker with out excited about his personal safety–realizing he by no means gave a thought as as to if the person may need been armed with a gun.

He smiled, saying he and his spouse had an extended discuss afterwards.

“Yeah, my spouse will not be fairly as completely happy about it. I do know she’s completely happy for the lady, and the child within the stroller, however she’s given me a few evil eyes about, you realize, ‘We do not need you getting killed,’ and stuff. So, you realize, it makes me cease to suppose. However the factor was, a few different guys walked up, after which a 3rd man walked up,” Ragan mentioned. Nonetheless, he mentioned he and his spouse don’t have any doubts in any respect that he would do all of it once more the identical approach if it have been ever needed.

The infant’s mom instructed 11Alive Information that her son and his nanny are okay. As quickly because the mom arrived on the scene, the child and nanny bought the all clear from emergency responders with out both of them having to be transported to a hospital, and so they went house secure and sound.

“I am so grateful for the brave and type individuals who helped my son and his nanny,” the mom instructed 11Alive. “I hope as a neighborhood we keep vigilant and proceed to look out for one another.”

The person arrested was charged with a felony–attempted kidnapping. Police are usually not saying, but, what his motive may need been.