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NYPD Officer Praised For Tracking Down, Saving Woman Reportedly Trying To Harm Herself And Her Child

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – An NYPD officer's quick thinking may have saved two lives – in another state.

Officer Michelle Schack answered a phone call about a distressed mother in Brooklyn, who disappeared with her six-month-old daughter.

Her relatives told police the 27-year-old woman wanted to harm herself, her baby, and had mentioned buying a gun.

Officer Schack tracked the mother's smartphone and found out she was in the Poconos.

She googled the closest gun shop and called to alert the owner.

"We found one and it happened to be the right one. It was just pure luck that this woman had walked into that gun store and we were able to apprehend her," Officer Schack said.

"This is why I got on the job; to help people."

The gun store owner stalled the mother until local police could arrive. She was taken to a hospital for evaluation. The child was reunited with family.

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