DETROIT, MI – Not all heroes wear capes, and that much is evident in terms of police officers all over the nation.
That’s exactly the case in Detroit, Michigan where two officers noted something was off.
Through their digging, they were able to determine that the children in the car they’d pulled over had been kidnapped and they were able to rescue them.
On November 30th, Detroit Police Officers allegedly witnessed a vehicle run a red light in the area of Grand River and Evergreen Avenue and stopped the vehicle for the infraction.
When officers spoke to the female driver, she told them that she was in a hurry to get the children that were in the vehicle to school.
The officers noted the body language of the children inside the car and decided to dig a little deeper and began questioning the driver as to which school the children attend. The woman was unable to provide a straight answer to the question which immediately raised red flags.
This woman kidnapped 4 Black Kids in Detroit on Tuesday.
Detroit police officers who noticed something peculiar about a woman and four children in a van they stopped for a traffic violation saved the youngsters from a kidnapping, authorities said Friday. https://t.co/hWNTmHxRQN
— THEE Robyn of Detroit (@dawtahajudah) December 4, 2021
According to Detroit Police Chief James White, Officers Parrish and Flannel asked the woman if the children were hers and she said that they were. White said:
“Are these your children? To which she said yes, and the children at the same time were shaking their head no.”
The officers separated the woman driver from the children and began to ask what the relationship was between them and her. What they learned was shocking, the children, whose ages ranged from 11 to 5, did not know who the woman was that was driving the car.
The discovery came during a traffic stop from a car going through a red light by a pair of officers from the Eighth Precinct. https://t.co/HEKXT3eqm7
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) December 4, 2021
As the officers continued their investigation, they learned the vehicle the suspect, identified as Stephanie Marie Binder, was driving was reported stolen.
Binder was arrested and charged with four counts each of kidnapping – child enticement, unlawful imprisonment, and one count each of receiving and concealing stolen property -motor vehicle, and unlawfully driving away of an automobile.
While conducting further investigation, Detroit Police learned of a Ring doorbell camera that was in the area where the children would normally walk to school.
When they reviewed that video they saw the van the woman was allegedly driving pull up to the children as they were walking and have an interaction with them. During the interaction, Binder was allegedly able to convince them to enter the car and leave the area.
Officers believe that Binder was able to convince the children to enter the van by targeting the youngest one and convincing him to enter. The older siblings followed the youngest one to ensure that he was safe while one of them, who had a cell phone, was calling for help.
The children’s mother, Shayla Burleigh, reported:
“She preyed on my youngest one. The oldest one didn’t want to leave his youngest brother. He did what he had to do.”
She added:
“I just thank everyone involved that my children are back home safe.”
Today Chief James E. White held a press conference to recognize @DPD8Pct officers Parrish and Flannel, for rescuing four children who were kidnapped. The officers stopped a van near Grand River and Evergreen after the driver ran a red light. pic.twitter.com/TFwgeChKxc
— Detroit Police News (@detroitpolice) December 3, 2021
Keith Lindey, one of the children’s father, expressed his praise and gratitude that the Detroit Police officers dug further on a simple traffic stop to ensure the safety of the community. He said:
“I just want to congratulate the City of Detroit police officers for performing their duties. I am thankful.”
There has been no information released that would give any insight as to why Binder allegedly kidnapped the four children. Binder is being held in a Wayne County Jail on a $5 million bond.
The court has ordered Binder if she can bond out to not have any contact with the victims in the case and will be ordered to wear a GPS monitor. Additionally, she will be confined to her home until further ordered by the courts.