When they saw two children in danger, these women didn’t hesitate, they risked their lives to save them.
A Terrifying Scene Outside a Memphis Gas Station
On a hot afternoon in South Memphis, a group of local grandmothers became unexpected heroes.
The women were near a gas station across from an apartment complex when they heard terrified screams. Looking up, they saw a man trying to drag two toddlers, just one and two years old, into his car.
Instead of freezing, they reacted.
One woman shouted for help as another ran toward the man, yanking the children out of his arms. Together, the women moved the children to safety, locking them inside a nearby laundromat while others stayed outside to confront the attacker.
Their quick decision saved the children’s lives.
“We Don’t Think So.”
One of the rescuers, Shirley Anderson, told WREG News Channel 3 that the man tried to explain the children’s injuries with a suspicious story.
“He said they fell off of that sink in the bathroom,” Anderson said. “We don’t think so because of all their bruises, the neck swelling on both of those babies.”
Anderson hadn’t been there for the initial confrontation but arrived when she heard other women yelling for help.
“She managed to get the babies out of his arms, passed them back to the grannies,” Anderson explained. “We locked the babies in this washer [laundromat] back here.”
Once the toddlers were safe, the grandmothers comforted them while waiting for authorities. Outside, others made sure the suspect wouldn’t escape.
A Community That Refused to Stay Silent
When the man tried to run, the grandmothers chased him down. They tracked him to a nearby apartment complex, where a few younger men joined the effort. Together, they tackled and restrained him until police arrived.
“We apprehended him down the street at the apartments until the police came, and a little street justice,” Anderson told reporters.
She added with pride,
“Usually, people will keep on going. This lot right here was full of grandmamas, you hear me? Grandmothers. They showed up and showed out.”
The children were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, suffering from severe bruising and swelling. The suspect, 21-year-old Kae’Ren Pullen, has been charged with two counts of child abuse and two counts of child neglect.
Police say the incident may have stemmed from a domestic disturbance, but it remains unclear if Pullen is related to the children.
Courage, Compassion, and the Power of Community
In a city too often defined by its struggles, these Memphis grandmothers reminded everyone what true community looks like.
They didn’t wait for someone else to step in. They didn’t hesitate or record on their phones. They acted, proving that courage knows no age.
“As a community, I’m proud of Memphis right now,” Anderson said.
Their story has since spread online, inspiring thousands who see in them a reflection of the power of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
Because sometimes, heroes don’t wear uniforms, they wear church hats, carry purses, and answer to “Grandma.”
Watch the full video below:
Featured Image from: Steward Masweneng from Pixabay