MCTS bus driver helps 2-year-old girl found running down busy street

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus driver Diana Serrano is being recognized for helping a lost and cold 2-year-old girl.

"The first that I saw her was, I was sitting at the red light," said Serrano.

On Saturday, Aug. 4, Serrano was just beginning her route on Milwaukee's south side, when she spotted something frightening.

"I know someone is not loading their kid in traffic," said Serrano.

Security video from the bus shows a little girl alone and in the street, wearing nothing but a T-shirt and underwear. An unidentified man helps the girl to safety and that's when Serrano takes over.

"He said he didn't know her and said he couldn't stay and I said 'give her to me and I'm going to take her and make sure she's OK,'" said Serrano.

MCTS drivers are taught to always be on the lookout for situations like this.

"She kind of protects this child. She brings her on the bus. She calls her into our dispatch office," said Brendan Conway, Milwaukee County Transit System.

(Courtesy: MCTS)

Milwaukee police were called while Serrano took care of the confused child.

"She had tears rolling down her cheeks and I think she feels more comfortable," said Serrano.

(Courtesy: MCTS)

According to MCTS, this was the eighth lost child a Milwaukee bus driver has helped in less than two years.

"We don't especially say 'if you see a child, look out for them,' but our drivers are trained to look for anything in, on, or around the bus, and that's why you oftentimes see drivers do great things," said Conway.

Serrano showed the girl pictures of her daughter's dog on her phone to cheer her up.

(Courtesy: MCTS)

"When she saw the puppy, she was just really excited about it," said Serrano.

A short time later, both the child's very worried mother and police, arrived at the scene.

According to the child's mother, the little girl sneaked out of the house while her family was sleeping.