Life
Cop saves baby abandoned in cardboard box then 24 yrs later gets call he’ll never forget
Gene had always been haunted not knowing what happened to the abandoned infant. Then one day, everything changed.
Jake Manning
05.14.24

In South Bend, Indiana, an interesting story unfolded, demonstrating the extraordinary intersections of human lives.

Retired Lieutenant Gene Eyster shares a touching memory from his earlier days on the force.

His tale connects the past and present in a deep, profoundly human way, reflecting on a career-defining moment that continued to echo throughout his life.

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The story began 24 years ago, just before Christmas, when Eyster responded to a call that would forever impact him.

He found a newborn abandoned in a cardboard box.

This shocking discovery at a local apartment complex marked a significant moment in his police career and touched him personally, planting seeds of a lifelong connection.

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Moved by the baby’s plight, Eyster visited the hospital to see the infant.

He brought a teddy bear, symbolizing care and remembrance.

This small act of kindness was his way of offering warmth and comfort to the vulnerable newborn, extending a gesture of humanity amid the harsh realities of his police work.

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Decades passed, yet the memory of that Christmas lingered with Eyster.

Then, in an unexpected twist, he received a life-changing phone call.

The abandoned baby had grown up to be Officer Matthew Padus Stewart.

Now a rookie in the same police department where Eyster had served, Stewart was unknowingly walking in the footsteps of the man who had once saved him.

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The connection between Eyster and the young officer Stewart seemed more than just a mere coincidence.

Stewart patrolled the same neighborhood Eyster once did.

Unaware of his own history, he wove his life back into the story that had begun on the day he was found, bringing the past full circle.

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Their reunion was nothing short of miraculous, occurring shortly after the unexpected death of Eyster’s son, Nick, at 36.

This meeting brought unique solace to Eyster.

In a time of grief, the reconnection provided a comforting sense of continuity and healing, as if by fate’s design.

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Eyster found in Stewart a form of solace that helped mitigate the pain of his son’s loss.

Reconnecting with the grown baby he once saved filled a void left by tragedy.

This rekindling of their bond offered Eyster a bittersweet comfort, highlighting how life’s complexities can sometimes yield unexpected, healing connections.

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A viewer deeply touched by their story shared their feelings, emphasizing the emotional depth of the reunion:

So sorry for Mr. Eyster’s loss of his beloved son.”

They continued:

“Such divine right timing for this young man to re-enter his life at a time when he really needed connection. What a magical story.”

This sentiment captures the essence of the extraordinary circumstances interlinking their lives.

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This remarkable story from South Bend transcends the routine duties of law enforcement, revealing the profound human connections that can emerge from acts of compassion.

For Eyster and Stewart, their professional roles facilitated a deeper, personal reunion.

Their story beautifully illustrates how life’s most touching tales are often those of reconnection and serendipitous discovery.

See how their paths divinely crossed again in the video below!

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