In an amazing story of bravery little Malik Medford fought off a man who was attempting to steal his mother's car, with his three little brothers inside.
Malik 9, and his younger brothers, ages 3, 19 months and 4 months, were waiting in the car while their mother went into a convenience store to get a drink in Charleston, West Virginia.
Suddenly, Jonathan Martin wrenched open the car door and ordered Malik to get out. But unfortunately for the would-be carjacker Malik is the kind of kid who looks after his younger brothers.
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"He told me to get out, but I didn't get out," Malik said. Instead he snatched the keys out of the ignition and fought off the attacker as he tried to wrestle the keys from the little boy.
Despite being punched by Martin, Malik didn't give up and managed to get away and run into the convenience store for help.
The failed carjacker ran away too, but tripped up in a nearby car park where he was later found by police. Martin admitted to the arresting officer: "I was trying to take the car. I know I'm stupid ... I knew the kids were there. Sorry."
He was later jailed on four counts of kidnapping and grand larceny.
Malik's mother Samantha Medford does not face any charges, despite having left her children in a car with the engine running. Luckily, her son has a greater sense of responsibility and he is credited with saving his brothers' lives.
As parents we all take calculated risks with our children occasionally, but was leaving children in an unlocked car unnecessarily risky? If it weren't for the bravery and quick-thinking of her oldest son, Ms Medford could have been regretting her carelessness for the rest of her life.
Clearly the authorities have concluded that punishing their mother would not be in the best interests of the Medford boys, and after disaster was so narrowly avoided, she will have certainly learned her lesson.
We are supposed to look up to our elder siblings but after showing such bravery, the little Medford boys aren't the only ones who think Malik is the best big brother in the world.
What do you think? Was Malik's mother negligent or just unlucky?Source