New London Police Honor Heroic Teen For Saving Toddler's Life

NEW LONDON, CT—It was just after 4 a.m. when, police say, Hannah Schukei noticed a toddler wandering the deserted streets in the area near Montauk and Willetts avenues in New London. Schukei immediately stopped her car and went to care for the child, police said. Not seeing anyone nearby who might be in some way related to the child, she called police.

The good news is that the 2 1/2 year-old boy, who was taken to the hospital, was okay. Though he might not have been if not for Schukei. And New London Police are honoring her for stopping, and, with the sun hours away from rising, got out of her car and went to ensure the toddler's safety.

New London Police Capt. Brian M. Wright said Monday,"Tremendous credit and kudos to the motorist who involved herself and ensured the safety and well-being of the toddler. NLPD salutes you."

Wright said Monday that "following an extensive canvass, the toddler’s parents were located asleep at their residence on Crescent St. The toddler unbeknownst to his parents had let himself out a secured door. It was apparent that the parents had been proactive in theirs attempts to prevent the child from getting out the house. Parents and child were reunited at the hospital."

Today, New London Police Chief Peter Reichard will be presenting Hannah Schukei with a Chief’s award.

According to her LinkedIn page, Schukei is a health unit coordinator at Lawrence +Memorial. She just graduated from Three Rivers Community College with an Associate of Science degree.

A graduate of Norwich Technical High School where she was an honor roll student, she is from North Franklin.

Schukei is just 19-years-old.