Ohio teacher, 29, dies saving her son’s life after carjacker attempts to steal car while the six-year-old was asleep inside
An Ohio teacher died saving her son’s life after a carjacker tried to steal the six-year-old’s car he was sleeping in.
Alexa Stakely, 29, a speech therapist, threw herself onto the hood of the vehicle as the thief ran away, falling off and fatally injuring herself.
According to police, the mother had loaded her sleeping son into her Honda CR-V, but ran back to the babysitter’s apartment to retrieve something.
Then the car thief jumped into her car, which was still running, and drove away. reports WSYX. Stakely chased the suspect and attempted to stop him, then jumped on the car.
The suspect fled on foot and has not yet been arrested.
An Ohio teacher died saving her son’s life after an armed carjacker tried to steal the six-year-old’s car he was sleeping in.
When police arrived, they found the vehicle parked with the child still asleep inside.
Officers with the Columbus Division of Police responded to the White Oak Park Condominiums north of Canal Winchester in southeast Columbus around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
When officers arrived, they found Stakely seriously injured. They transported her to Mount Carmel East Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Canal Winchester Schools posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook to Stakely, a dedicated speech therapist who worked with preschoolers at Winchester Trail Elementary.
“Ms. Alexa,” as she was called by her students, had been with the district for five years.
“Ms. Stakely’s family shared that she died heroically trying to save her 6-year-old son during a carjacking. Thankfully, her son was not injured and is now with family. Please keep Alexa’s son, family, and friends in your prayers during this difficult time,” the district wrote in the Facebook post.
Alexa Stakely, 29, a speech therapist, picked up her 6-year-old son from a babysitter after finishing her shift at her second job
“Alexa was passionate about children and speech therapy,” the post read. “She was smart and compassionate, and cared deeply about helping children develop their communication skills. She was an amazing mother who was incredibly devoted to her son. Ms. Stakely made a difference in the lives of the students and families she worked with and will be missed by so many in our community and beyond.”
The comments below the post were filled with emotion as parents shared how Stakely had made a difference in their children’s lives.
“She doted on all three of my youngest boys and is a major reason my youngest two have such clear speech today. She will be greatly missed,” one mother wrote in a comment.
“This is absolutely devastating and heartbreaking,” one mother said. “My son adored her for the past 2 years and saw her almost every day at school. She was an amazing speech therapist and person and helped my son so much. I am sending prayers upon prayers to her son and family.”
Police are asking anyone with information or surveillance footage to come forward as they track down the suspect.