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12-year-old 'hero' saves life of girl 1,000 miles away after she shared distressing Snapchats

Gabe Rongier was talking to his friend, who lives over 1,000 miles away, when he noticed a change in her emotions. He promptly alerted the authorities. (Photo: Facebook)
Gabe Rongier was talking to his friend, who lives over 1,000 miles away, when he noticed a change in her emotions. He promptly alerted the authorities. (Photo: Facebook)

A 12-year-old boy from Pittsburgh is being applauded for his quick thinking and perceptive nature after he noticed a friend, who lives in Texas, was starting to act differently on Snapchat.

Gabe Rongier had been chatting with his friend, who he met on the social media app through a mutual friend, when he noticed a drastic change in the girl’s emotions. According to CBS Pittsburgh, the girl shared a disturbing post that read she “wouldn’t be here tomorrow.”

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Gabe, not knowing how to alert the authorities in Texas about the girl possibly being a danger to herself, called the suicide hotline.

“I called the suicidal prevention services and it linked me to Officer Chandler [in Texas,]” Gabe told the outlet. “He went to her house, checked up on her. The next day he called me and said, ‘She’s fine. It’s real.'”

Gabe’s parents, Fred and Lori, were informed by investigators that they used geotracking to locate the girl and that they arrived in time to intervene with any plans she may have had.

“Of course, I’m very proud of him, but I really hope that other young people his age might see the story and also be inspired to also take action to help somebody in need just like Gabe did,” Lori said. Fred added, “When he went to bed, I always kiss him and, I’ve been telling him since that day, ‘You’re my little hero.’”

Officer Chandler also sent Gabe, who wants to be a SWAT officer someday, a package in the mail to thank him for his service. Included with a letter was a law enforcement coin, called a “Challenge Coin,” and a badge.

“I feel relieved that she’s OK,” Gabe said. “I feel like I did something good.”

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