A young mom posted a photo of a Metro Transit Police officer holding hands with her 4-year-old boy. Now, the photo — and the story that goes with it — has gone viral.
Officer Dominic Case, helped calm Andrew Pomilla down after he had a meltdown on a train on Friday during rush hour. Andrew has autism.
"It was that regular toddler tantrum, and then it very quickly started to escalate and he was getting really upset," Andrew's mother, Taylor Pomilla, told News4.
The episode got so bad that Pomilla and her son got off the train, but Andrew was still acting out.
"We were right by the tracks, and he was just rolling in the dirt, pulling my hair, and he's kicking me. It breaks my heart because there's nothing I can do about it," Pomilla said.
But then Case showed up to lend a helping hand.
"Andrew so beautifully just took his hand and was calm," Pomilla said.
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Case not only helped calm Andrew down, but rode with them all the way home.
And Andrew didn't just make a new friend in Case — he also got a souvenir.
Case gave Andrew the police patch from his uniform.
"I've tried to say thank you in so many different ways, and it's just not enough," Pomilla said. "It is so ... Heartwarming is the only word I can come up with."