Maryland police officer buys diapers for poor mother after she tried to steal them

A police officer from the Laurel Police Department in Maryland bought diapers for the very mother who attempted to steal them just moments before, according to WTTG-TV.

Rookie Officer Bennett Johns was called to the scene of a theft Monday at the Giant store on Fairlawn Street. Johns arrived and confronted the woman who told him she attempted to steal the $15 worth of diapers because she couldn't afford them for her 2-year-old son.

Bennett was forced to write the woman a criminal citation for theft, but he so sympathized with the woman that he then turned around and bought the diapers the mother needed for her child.

"This mother was going out of her way and doing everything she can to provide for her kid and I can respect that," Johns said. "I can sympathize with that as well so that is why I felt compelled to help the mother in purchasing the diapers for the kid."

Johns told WTTG that he was compelled to help the mother, because he saw his own family in the woman's struggle with her toddler.

"I see [the toddler] and I see myself growing up with a single mother, and I want him to have a better life too," Johns said.

Both Laurel Police Chief Richard McLaughlin and Laurel Mayor Craig Moe told WTTG that instances of charity like this from officers is not an irregular occurrence and that this kind of kindness is what the town's police force works for everyday.

"I'm very proud of my officers," McLaughlin said. "All of my officers and particularly this one. I think it speaks volumes that they are doing the right thing for the right reason when nobody is watching."

"They do many many things that the general public doesn't really see," Moe told the station. "They work hard at it. I can tell you that and we are going to continue to make sure we reach out to the community."