Pinay teacher and caregiver who foiled kidnapping attempt honored in US

A Filipina teacher and part-time caregiver in the United States was recently given an award there for her bravery in foiling a kidnapping attempt against her 95-year-old ward in December 2011.

In an article posted on Asian Journal on May 18, Saturday, it was reported that the Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey presented the “Courageous Citizen Award” to Nida Arjona Tapel, a 52-year-old teacher and part-time caregiver from LA.

Tapel suffered a pepper spray attack in December 19, 2011 when she prevented her 95-year-old ward, who has Alzheimer’s disease, from being kidnapped. The suspect in the attempted abduction was the her ward’s daughter.

“With her eyes and face burning after being pepper sprayed by her client’s daughter, Tapel ran outside, yelled for help and got a passerby to call 911. Tapel then jumped into the suspect’s SUV to protect her client,” DA officials said in the article.

“Tapel remained in the vehicle as the suspect took off and led police on a wild chase for several miles before being captured,” the officials also said.

The award was also given to three others during a luncheon on April 12

Other persons honored with Tapel were Samuel Nunez, 24, and Kem Gaskin, 44, who helped a 77-year-old woman who was beaten and robbed by a gang member. Another man lauded was Henry Hernandez, 44, who pulled a woman out of a burning car

“These otherwise ordinary people have taken extraordinary steps to assist others when they were most vulnerable,” said Lacey in a statement.

“They stopped a crime. They made sure that a criminal was prosecuted. They helped a crime victim during a terrifying moment of need. They are vital to the pursuit of justice, and our community is a safer place because of them," Lacey also said.

According to the Asian Journal article, the suspect involved in Tapel’s rescue attempt pleaded no contest to charges of attempted kidnap, battery and evading an officer and is set to be sentenced on June 6. - Gian C. Geronimo, VVP, GMA News

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