Acts of Kindness
Former convict finds baby crawling along busy highway and calms her with gospel music
"How could a baby be out here in the middle of nowhere?"
Ma Fatima Garcia
09.20.21

“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude” -Oprah Winfrey

We all make decisions that we are not proud of, but that doesn’t mean we can’t or won’t change for the better.

Bryant Collins is one great example.

Pixabay/cocoparisienne
Source:
Pixabay/cocoparisienne

Collins lived a life that was chaotic and sad. This has led him to misuse substances, and eventually, he was caught by the authorities. Collins spent a decade in federal lockup.

According to him, he has seen so many bad situations in his life, but nothing had prepared him when he saw a baby crawling on the side of Highway 72.

It has been six years since this event happened, but everyone who reads it still experiences goosebumps.

Pixabay/platinumportfolio
Source:
Pixabay/platinumportfolio

I had seen something out of the corner of my eye, and I thought it was a baby,” Collins recalled the surprising event. “I just stopped and, when I got out, there was a baby — almost in the highway.”

Everything happened so fast.

If you are driving, you know that paying attention to the road is vital for your safety. A split second and the baby could have been hit by a car or truck.

“What the hell is going on?” Collins said as he was shocked and confused at the same time.” A baby?'”

Pixabay/RyanMcGuire
Source:
Pixabay/RyanMcGuire

We couldn’t believe it either. It was broad daylight, the temperature was high, and Collins was on a highway. No one would expect to find an infant there.

Collins, an auto repairman, stopped his vehicle and ran to the little girl who was crawling on the grassy side of the highway.

He was still in disbelief as he called 911. Even the operator who answered the call was confused about the whole situation. For two long hours, Collins stayed with the 15-month-old baby and tried to entertain her.

YouTube Screenshot/11Alive
Source:
YouTube Screenshot/11Alive

Collins would play gospel songs from his phone to keep the little girl calm.

While waiting for the authorities, Collins was still shocked about the little girl. What could have happened? Why is the baby crawling on the side of the highway?

YouTube Screenshot/11Alive
Source:
YouTube Screenshot/11Alive

If he didn’t see the poor little baby, what could have happened to her?

Soon, Madison County Sheriff Kip Thomas appeared and explained that it looked like the baby was left in the care of her other older siblings. Because they were just kids, they didn’t notice that their little sister crawled away from their home.

The 15-month-old baby girl then crawled away from her home. Then, she crawled 300 yards through the woods before finally reaching Highway 72.

YouTube Screenshot/11Alive
Source:
YouTube Screenshot/11Alive

“Honestly, that’s almost a miracle,” Thomas said.

Officers were still checking the baby when suddenly, the baby’s father, Timothy Pickens, came to the station and started scuffling with the police.

It’s still unclear if the baby’s mother will also face charges for what happened to the baby.

YouTube Screenshot/11Alive
Source:
YouTube Screenshot/11Alive

Collins was still in shock, but he was glad that he became an instrument for saving the child.

“I did 10 years in the federal institution for manufacturing cocaine,” Collins remembered. “When I was in prison, I made a very conscientious effort to change, and I did.”

He said he’s been clean for five years, and all his decisions made way for the little girl to live.

YouTube Screenshot/11Alive
Source:
YouTube Screenshot/11Alive

“It made me feel good, that I could be in society and do good,” Collins added.

We all make mistakes, but if we learn from them and be better, then we’ll find our purpose.

Watch the incredible story unfold in the video below!

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