North Raleigh Today

Angelica Coffey, a UNC Health employee, made a daring decision recently by following a vehicle mentioned in an Amber Alert, eventually leading to the child’s rescue.

"I wanted to save this little girl,” Coffey said in a WRAL report. “I have two kids. I would want someone to do the same thing for me.” 

The Amber Alert was issued on Aug. 10 after the child’s mother, a behavioral health patient identified as Crystal Beatrice Walston, injured two UNC Rex employees, stole a hospital vehicle and took the 5-year-old Cary girl from her home. 

Someone called 911 from the hospital, saying, “We just had a patient steal a security vehicle. She is on the highway and she is driving mad and crazy. We got security trying to chase the car. She is running people down. They need to hurry up."

The UNC Rex vehicle was found that evening by police in Sanford, but it was empty. Police said Walston had ditched the hospital vehicle for a less conspicuous Lexus. 

When Coffey saw the car, she called 911 and stayed on the phone with dispatchers while following Walston for approximately 30 minutes.

Coffey noted that she was just in the right place at the right time. She left for work earlier than normal that day and added that she always pays attention to Amber Alerts.

”I was in shock,” she said. “I didn’t think this would be the car in front of me.”

After officers stopped and arrested Walston, she was eventually charged with child abduction; felony speed to elude; misdemeanor child abuse; reckless driving; speeding; and resist, delay, obstruct. Possible charges of larceny of a motor vehicle are pending completion of the investigation. 

Walston was previously charged approximately a year ago with second-degree kidnapping, breaking and entering, and assault on a child under 12. 

The child has been placed in the care of the Department of Health and Human Services.