Mom dragged through parking lot trying to save kids from kidnapper — minutes later, strangers' quick response saved her family
Trigger Warning: This story contains themes of domestic abuse that may be distressing for some readers.
Many people often believe that kidnappings and abductions are done only by strangers, criminals, or traffickers. Unfortunately, family members, relatives and friends can also be responsible for the heinous crime. Footage shared by First Coast News revealed how a distressed mom was getting dragged through the parking lot of the Jacksonville DMV, Florida. The woman was desperately trying to rescue her children, who were in the vehicle with an alleged kidnapper. As the van was pulling away, the mom refused to give up and seeing her plight, strangers rushed to her rescue within minutes.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), there were nearly 30,000 cases of children reported missing in 2024. Of these, over 750 resolved cases were those of family abductions. Moreover, there were still over 100 active family abduction cases to be solved. WFLA Channel 8 reported that an arrest affidavit stated that the kidnapper was a man present with the woman in the vehicle along with the children. He was likely someone known. The duo was heading to the Jacksonville DMV for an appointment in the van. He reportedly struck the woman in the face while driving.
Things were getting heated and he was frustrated as he was late to the appointment. The woman decided to leave and grabbed one of her kids. However, when she went to unbuckle the second child, the man suddenly began to drive off. The woman was clinging onto the vehicle, trying to protect her child and get some grip. One of the babies was with the mom as she was being dragged. It was revealed that the kids included a 6-month-old and a 2-year-old. As soon as strangers spotted the scene, they rushed to help. Within seconds, one after the other, people surrounded the van.
A few helped the mom and the baby, while others tried to stop the man and get the other child from the vehicle. Fortunately, they were able to help the mom and get both kids away from the vehicle. The man fled but was later caught by the deputies near a shopping center. He was identified as a 26-year-old named Yanni Human. Upon further investigation, the officers discovered two fully loaded magazines containing 45 caliber live rounds in the center console and loose marijuana in the passenger seat. The man was arrested on various charges, including child abuse and battery.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the woman was facing domestic abuse for six months and even claimed that the man threatened to kill her. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office commended the strangers for coming together to save the mom and rescue the children. “Good Samaritans stepped in during a dangerous situation, potentially saving a mother and two children from serious injury or worse,” the sheriff’s office noted. They added that the situation could have had a “tragic ending” if not for the “quick action and bravery of the Good Samaritans who stepped up and helped bring the suspect to justice.”
If you are being subjected to domestic abuse or know of anyone else who is, please visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline website or call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.