In a moment of pure relief and overwhelming emotion, a little boy ran down the hall and leaped into the arms of his mother. Three-year-old Noah was finally back home after enduring a terrifying 13-day kidnapping ordeal at the hands of his own father.
The break in the case came thanks to the sharp eyes of a Good Samaritan. While dropping off her own son at school, Julia Bonan noticed a little boy walking down the street. Something about him seemed familiar—she had seen his face before on social media. That nagging feeling wouldn’t let her go. Trusting her instincts, she turned around, found the boy again, and called 9-1-1.
Her quick action led to the discovery of not just Noah but also his cousin, whose identity has been blurred for privacy reasons. Both children had been kidnapped by Noah’s father, Jacob Clare. Authorities revealed that Clare had taken Noah after a scheduled visitation in Tennessee. Along with Noah, he had also abducted his 16-year-old niece, with whom he reportedly had an inappropriate relationship. He then drove cross-country to Southern California, evading law enforcement for nearly two weeks.
Once police responded to the 9-1-1 call, Noah was found playing in the sand, blissfully unaware of the danger he had been in. His mother, Amanda, rushed to reunite with her son. Speaking about the moment she embraced Noah, she described it as “the second best moment of my life,” the first being the day he was born.
Amanda also had nothing but gratitude for Julia Bonan, the woman who helped bring her son back.
“She’s our hero. She saved my baby. She brought my baby back to me, and I will never be able to thank her enough for what she has done,” Amanda said, her voice filled with emotion.
This incredible story serves as a reminder of the power of vigilance and the kindness of strangers. Julia’s courage and willingness to act made all the difference, proving that sometimes, trusting your instincts can change lives forever.
