Bus driver rescues 9-year-old girl kidnapped during Sultan carjacking

SULTAN, Wash. — A Sultan bus driver is being hailed as a hero after she rescued a 9-year-old girl who investigators say was caught up in a carjacking incident earlier this week.

On Tuesday, deputies arrested 31-year-old Jessy Rylah after a carjacking and kidnapping in Sultan.

Rylah is accused of attacking a woman, stealing her car with a 9-year-old girl inside and trying to steal another car before he was arrested.

Investigators said Rylah dropped the 9-year-old girl off and she was found by a bus driver on the side of the road.

On Friday, KIRO 7's Ranji Sinha talked to the bus driver whose quick thinking kept the child safe.

“It’s a blessing of God that I was there to help her,” said bus driver Elsa Fox. “I see this pink shadow, and I look closer and see it’s a girl and she’s waving me down.”

Fox normally drives a different bus but said her bus changed this week and it was the only reason she was able to help the 9-year-old girl.

“I would be happy for somebody to do the same thing for other kids,” Fox said.

Fox made sure the girl was not hurt and got her home safe.

“The timing was perfect and there’s a reason why I was put on this route,” she said.

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