20°
The employees were recently honored after the child was found on Tuesday, Jan. 14, said MTA officials.
The girl, from the Bronx, was found just as Train No. 593 pulled out of Fordham Station, when Conductor Ninan Jacob noticed the child, traveling alone and seemingly confused and tired.
After spotting the child, Jacob contacted the operations center who arranged to have MTA Police meet the train at its next scheduled station stop in Mount Vernon West.
“I don’t consider myself a hero, it’s part of the job,” Jacob said. “We see things like this every day. Any conductor would do the same thing, it’s a team effort and our top priority is to make sure customers are safe.”
During the ride, Assist. Conductor Rod Milhouse stayed with the girl, and led her off the train, where the pair were met by Lt. Henry Lennon and Officer John Casiano.
“The heavy lifting was done by the time we arrived at the station, which made everything easy,” said Lennon.
Fortunately, the little girl was very articulate, said Lennon. She had her ID and knew her mother's number.
"It made everything easier to get her home," he added.
The two officers were able to contact the family and reunited the girl that night in the Bronx.
“I am so proud of the Metro-North train crew, whose quick thinking helped reunite this little girl with her family,” said Catherine Rinaldi, president of MTA Metro-North Railroad. “These employees exemplify the best of Metro-North, and I am so happy to have the opportunity to acknowledge their professionalism and compassion and extend my deepest thanks.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice Rivertowns and receive free news updates.
