When Bryant Collins spotted what appeared to be movement near Highway 72 in Georgia, his instinct to brake immediately became a lifesaving decision. What he discovered crawling dangerously close to one of the area’s busiest roadways was something he never could have imagined: a 15-month-old baby, alone and vulnerable.
The mechanic was traveling along the highway when the unthinkable scene unfolded before him. Collins struggled to process what he was seeing as he brought his vehicle to a stop.
“I didn’t think it could even be a baby at first,” said Collins. “How could it be a baby out here in the middle of nowhere? But at the same time, while I’m thinking that, my foot is mashing the break so fortunately, thank God nobody was behind me because this is one of the busiest highways in the area, if not the busiest. By the grace of God, there was not even a car coming either way.”
A two-hour wait with an unexpected companion
After securing the child’s safety, Collins immediately contacted 911 to report the situation. What followed was a two-hour period during which he remained with the toddler while authorities worked to piece together how the child ended up in such a dangerous location.
When the baby became distressed and began crying, Collins found an unconventional but effective solution to comfort her. “The baby started crying. Then I turned my phone on and let the baby listen to some Gospel music, and she calmed back down,” he said. “I know gospel music calms me down.”
During their extended time together, a bond formed between the unlikely pair. “She looked at me like she knew me or something,” said Collins.
How the baby ended up on the highway
Investigators determined that the infant had traveled an astonishing 300 yards from her residence, navigating through wooded terrain before reaching the highway. The baby’s father was taken into custody following the incident.
Sheriff Kip Thomas described the situation as nothing short of miraculous, noting “that a 15-month-old can go that far from her house, into the woods, fall down an embankment, wind up near a major highway and really not get hurt that bad.”
From troubled past to redemption
While Collins has been hailed as a hero for his quick actions, he carries a complicated history. He spent a decade in federal prison for manufacturing cocaine, but used that time to transform his life.
“While I was in prison, I decided I can’t come home like I came to prison,” he said. True to his word, Collins has maintained six years of sobriety and now works as an auto repairman.
When asked about being labeled a hero, Collins remained humble about his actions. He stated he did “nothing extraordinary,” and that it was the right thing to do.
The opportunity to help someone in need provided Collins with a sense of personal validation. “It made me feel good that I could you know be in society and do good,” he said with a smile. “Just as well as you can do bad, you can do good.”
