Two residents recognized for helping with small children
Darby Borough Council recognized two residents for recently stepping up to help young children.
According to Mayor Darren Burrell, about 3 p.m. on March 29 police were called to Highland Avenue and Pine Street for a 3-year-old who was seen wandering down the street unsupervised.
Cameron Payne, 11, was on his way out to play basketball at the time. He saw the child and helped her until police arrived and helped find the family.
“That child would not be safe if it wasn’t for you,” Burrell told Cameron as he presented him with a certificate of appreciation at Wednesday’s council meeting. “On behalf of council, great job. Our borough really appreciates you.”
Cameron seemed surprised at the attention.
“I walked outside my house to play basketball, then saw little girl without shoes on, then I picked her up,” he said.
While Cameron was calm, his parents were thrilled.
“He has a great attitude. We always try to raise him right, make the right choices,” said his father, Randy Hooks. “For him to take the initiative to make sure she was OK, that was good. He’s trying to keep an eye out. He’s a good kid.”
To show their appreciation, borough officials contacted the Philadelphia Eagles, which supplied a Jalen Hurts autographed football for Cameron.
Later that same day, police received a similar call for a young child walking down the street by himself near the SEPTA Transportation Center on Main Street.
Beverly Rogers was on her way home from work in an Uber when she saw a child in only a diaper wandering down Main Street. She told the driver to stop.
“Somebody is going to be missing this child,” Rogers said. “I have a small daughter and with everything that goes on in Darby, there’s a creek right there, there’s tons of people going through the transportation center,” she said
“99% of people nowadays get in their Uber and go on about their business and they don’t care. Thanks for being eyes on our community,” Burrell said.
“The mother was relieved,” Rogers said. “Nobody wants to call the cops for stuff. This is a small child. It needs to be supervised at all times. God forbid somebody would have snatched the child or he would run out into the street.”
Chief Joseph Gabe said an investigation into both incidents is underway. No charges have been filed, however youth services has been notified.