OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma state trooper is being praised for comforting a suspect’s 2-year-old daughter following a high-speed chase Wednesday.
According to KOCO-TV, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol attempted to stop a speeding driver, who fled troopers in a chase that began at interstates 235 and 44, authorities said. When the pursuit ended a few minutes later, troopers arrested the 24-year-old suspect – a man who had outstanding felony warrants, KOCO reported.
While at the scene, state Trooper Gary Hightower discovered a toddler in the backseat of the suspect’s vehicle. The girl “was not secured in a car seat at the time,” he told the news outlet.
Hightower, who has five children and a grandchild of his own, quickly began to comfort the girl, according to KOCO. The Highway Patrol later shared a photo of the moment on the department’s Facebook page.
“What do troopers do when a felon eludes them at over 100 miles per hour with a 2-year-old baby in the vehicle? They take him to jail and keep the baby warm and entertained with Spongebob Squarepants on the phone until a family member can pick her up,” authorities captioned the post, which has been shared more than 2,000 times. “Just another day in the life of OHP.”
What do troopers do when a felon eludes them at over 100 miles per hour with a 2 year old baby in the vehicle? They take...
Posted by Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The child is now in her mother’s care, Hightower told KOCO. Authorities have charged the girl’s father with DUI, endangering a child and eluding police, the outlet reported.
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