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Boy calls 9-1-1 on his intoxicated mother while in the backseat of her car

A mother breastfeeding her infant was robbed at knifepoint by a man who shoved the woman to the ground before running off with her bag and cellphone.

York Regional Police are praising the bravery of a nine-year-old who made a call to 9-1-1 to report that his mother was intoxicated and driving with him in the vehicle.

An unbelievable act of bravery as 9yr old calls 9-1-1 to report his mom drinking and driving, while he's in the van https://t.co/aXtfjVKF2g

— York Regional Police (@YRP) November 13, 2015


The call was received around 4:30 p.m., CP24 reports. There was no response to the incoming call, but the dispatcher could tell the call was coming from inside a vehicle. The dispatcher hung up and called back the incoming number. A boy answered the phone.

The exchange was outlined in a statement released by York Regional Police.

He told police that he was in a van with his mom, who was drinking and driving. The boy sounded scared, but was able to tell the call taker his name, that he was nine, where he was, the description of the van and where he lives. Eventually his mother got on the phone telling police that she had just one drink, that she was fine before hanging up the phone.

Using the information provided by the young boy, police were able to stop the vehicle in Newmarket.

The 52-year-old driver was pulled over and taken into custody. She was brought to #1 District headquarters where police report her breathalyzer samples were over twice the legal limit. She was charged with impaired driving and driving over the speed limit.

Arrangements were made for the boy to be picked up by his father. As well, the Children’s Aid Society was notified.

Police say impaired driving charges are up about eight percent this year.

So far this year, York Regional Police has laid more than 1,500 charges in relation to impaired driving due to alcohol or drug, which is up from the 1,384 charges laid at this time in 2014.

The story is making rounds on social media and people are supporting the boy’s decision to call the police.

@YRP Wow. What a brave young boy. And those numbers are alarming.

— Erick Espinosa (@ErickGlobalNews) November 13, 2015


@YRP My heart breaks for that brave little boy. I hope he knows he's a hero. #KnowingWhenToAskForHelp

— Siobhan Kukolic (@SiobhanKukolic) November 13, 2015


@YRP congratulations to that nine yr ol boy he probably saved himself , his mom , & perhaps innocent people. Brave little guy.

— terishaw (@Shawteri1) November 13, 2015