LAFAYETTE, Tenn. (WTVF) – A large-scale manhunt in Lafayette ended with the rescue of a missing one-year-old girl by a Good Samaritan.
Authorities say little girl Maybrie Like is now safe. Her mother’s boyfriend is in police custody.
For Steven James, who intervened at the right time, it was easy.
“It was a child. I would do anything for a child,” he said.
He first noticed something was wrong Friday night. The TBI issued a missing child alert and police asked to search his property. James later learned that man, Gerald Blair, was on the run after a hit-and-run accident. The Macon County Sheriff said Blair wrecked his car during the chase and fled with Maybrie into the woods near his home.
Thanks to a neighbor’s camera, James learned on Saturday morning that the two were at the creek right in front of his house.
“I pulled a gun on him to try and somehow threaten him and get control of the situation,” James said of his next steps. “I told him, ‘Give me the baby. I don’t care what you do, just give me the baby…’ I guess what I was trying to say was, ‘Put the baby down, go back and I’ll get the baby.'”
The two argued between them until Blair finally gave in.
“It was almost a feeling of relief, he knew it was over,” explained James, who added that he and his wife stayed with the little girl until first responders arrived.
“You could tell it was important to him. It was just a bad situation for her,” he said. “I’m glad I got to do it. Not because I wanted to be the one doing it; I’m just glad it turned out that way.”
Authorities say Blair suffered an epileptic seizure after surrendering the child. He is now facing a number of charges, including child abuse. DCS is also involved in the case.
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She is over 80 and almost blind. Woman from Franklin continues to crochet for those in need
“Here’s a great story that proves that everyone has something to give, regardless of age OR personal challenges. Our Austin Pollack introduces us to Ms. Sylvia Mooney. At 80 years old, she is not sitting still. Instead, she is using her skills to create compassion for others… one stitch at a time. Her crochet work goes to nonprofits to help our homeless neighbors. You might be surprised to know that she manages to do all of this while battling a serious health issue. Bravo Sylvia!”
-Rhori Johnston
