A Tennessee woman is being lauded as a “Good Samaritan”, “Guardian Angel,” and a “hero” after rescuing a young girl who had escaped a kidnapper.

“I just thank God that I was there, cause if it was my daughter, I’d want someone to be there also,” Jennifer Maxwell told CBS 17.

Maxwell was driving home from work in North Carolina when she spotted the sobbing girl emerging from the woods and dropping down into a ditch.

Maxwell watched the girl in her mirror as she passed, thinking someone behind her would stop. No one did.

That’s when Maxwell turned around and approached the girl, who said she had been kidnapped by a man who forced her to walk into the woods.

Maxwell took the 12-year-old to the police station and called 911. Maxwell also took the police back to where she found the girl, and they were able to find the alleged sicko after a seven-hour search.

Daniel Francis Gear, 38, was charged with first-degree kidnapping and assault. His bond was set at 2.5 million.

“The girl said she was at a sleepover at her friend’s house when Gear woke her up. Neighbors said that Gear’s niece, who lives at the home, and the victim are friends and live next door to each other,” WCAX reported.

Matt Van Swol shared the story on X, stating, “BE THE ONE WHO TURNS AROUND.”

🚨WOW!!!

A lady in Tennessee is being hailed as a HERO after she rescued a KIDNAPPED 12-year-old girl as she came running out of the woods, barefoot and covered in scratches, and collapsed into a ditch on the side of the highway, attempting to escape.

Cars kept driving past… pic.twitter.com/FKQG25y6EJ

— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) August 19, 2026

X users agreed with Van Swol on being the person to step up, not step away:

BE THE ONE WHO TURNS AROUND.
Jennifer Maxwell didn’t wait for someone else. She saw a barefoot, scratched-up 12-year-old collapse in a ditch… and she stopped.
That little girl ran for her life through the woods for two hours. One woman refused to keep driving.
Heroes still…

— Liam (@LiamEvergreen) August 19, 2026

A child in danger should become everybody’s problem. That instinct to step in instead of looking away is the kind of America I want more of.

— Dan Holbrook (@DanHolbrook) August 19, 2026

We should always have our heads up and eyes clear, not just for our own safety but to watch out for those around us. We must be an intentional force for good in this world or what’s the point?

— DougKBaker (@Mod2Severe) August 19, 2026

People are afraid to stop bc they use tricks to get you to pull over and then youre the victim. Woman who turned around needs an award.

— cagrown5 (@cagrown5) August 19, 2026

PEOPLE.. this was a brave young girl! Educate your kids! Our world is sick

— paula wilson (@pwilsondtf) August 19, 2026

A brave young girl, indeed.

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