Hero teacher dies trying to save 6-year-old son from carjacker in Ohio

An Ohio teacher died on Thursday while saving her 6-year-old son from a carjacker. Alexa Stakely, 29, of Columbus, loaded her sleeping child into her vehicle and then briefly went back inside the babysitter's apartment to grab something she had left before returning to a carjacking in progress. She then chased after her Honda CR-V and hurled her body onto the hood of the car to save her young son who was asleep inside. Stakely suffered fatal injuries during the lifesaving attempt.

The suspect exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Columbus Police said the suspect is still at large, according to WSYX. Police found the child asleep in the vehicle upon arrival and located Stakely with critical injuries. She was transported to the Mount Carmel East Hospital and was pronounced dead.



Stakely was a speech and language pathologist at Canal Winchester Schools and had been with the district for the past 5 years. The school district issued a heartfelt post on Facebook and wrote: "Ms. Stakely's family shared that she died heroically while trying to save her 6-year-old son during a carjacking. Thankfully, her son was not injured and is now with family. Please keep Alexa's son, family, and friends in your prayers during this difficult time."

"Alexa was passionate about children and speech-language therapy," the post continued. "She was smart and compassionate, and she cared so much about helping children develop their ability to communicate. She was a great mom who was incredibly dedicated to her son. Ms. Stakely made a difference in the lives of the students and families she worked with and will be missed by so many in our community and beyond."

Police did not immediately release a suspect description and urged anyone with information or surveillance footage to come forward to help the case.