Social media has greatly affected our society. It has changed the way people communicate and now it keeps people connected. Though at times it becomes annoying and creates a negative effect, it also has its benefits.
Today, Facebook is the most regularly used social networking site. As a matter of fact, Facebook is a very useful medium if used within certain limitations. There have been incidents of criminals being located, long lost relatives were reunited, or those who are in need were attended.
And just recently, Facebook was being credited for helping the locate a baby who was abducted from maternity ward just hours after she was born.
The baby was abducted from the Ville-Marie hospital in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec on Monday night.
Quebec authorities then issued an amber alert giving description of the suspect and the car that she used. A series of messages from police were also posted on social media.
Alerte AMBER déclenchée: bébé manque à l’appel, région de Trois-Rivières. #Recherché: auto rouge Toyota Yaris hatchback. #Mauricie
— Sûreté du Québec (@sureteduquebec) May 27, 2014
Alerte AMBER déclenchée: bébé manque à l’appel, région de Trois-Rivières. #Recherché: auto rouge Toyota Yaris hatchback. #Mauricie
— Sûreté du Québec (@sureteduquebec) May 27, 2014
Alerte Amber en #Mauricie: véhicule Yaris rouge avec affiche “Bébé à bord” #recherché. Le nouveau-né ds une couverture bleue.
— Sûreté du Québec (@sureteduquebec) May 27, 2014
Investigators say the female abductor was dressed as a nurse when she entered the Ville Marie hospital.
A television station in Montreal also posted the alert on Facebook including photos of the baby and the suspect.
Then, four young Facebook users (identified as Charlene Plante, Marc-Andre Cote, Sharelle Bergeron and Melizanne Bergeron) learned of the kidnapping incident and were determined to help on the search. Upon closer look on the photo, Charlene recognized that the suspect as her neighbor.
The group decided to drive to the woman’s house. When they realized someone was home, they contacted police, who arrived minutes later. They waited outside the apartment block and after a while, the officer emerged carrying a tiny, blanketed baby in his arms.
The police then carried the baby back to the hospital.
About three hours after being snatched, the baby (unharmed) was reunited with her mother.
And the youth who identified the suspect came to visit the newborn’s parents in the hospital late Monday night.
Melissa McMahon, the baby’s mom, was so thankful that their baby was returned to them safe. And on Tuesday, she posted this on her Facebook page.
“Each click, each sharing makes the difference. Four wonderful people, we had the chance to meet, have identified this woman through Facebook. It is the only reason that explains why Victoria is in my arms at the moment. Thanks to all Quebecers who took bother to do more… check the sector, parking, red cars…We felt a great supports from the population. This victory comes to you all!”
Share this to others and make the best out of your time on Facebook!