Ohio Mom Killed While Trying to Stop Car from Being Stolen with Her 6-Year-Old Son Inside

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a heart-wrenching incident early Thursday morning, a 29-year-old mother, Alexa Stakely, lost her life while attempting to prevent the theft of her car with her 6-year-old son inside. The tragedy unfolded at the intersection of Annual Drive and Blue Knoll Drive on the far Southeast side of Columbus.

According to the Columbus Police Department, Stakely had just picked up her son from a babysitter. She placed the sleeping child in her car, which was left running, and returned to the babysitter's home to retrieve a forgotten item. Upon her return, she witnessed her car being driven away. Desperate to save her son, Stakely climbed onto the hood of the vehicle, screaming for the thief to stop. The suspect, however, drove erratically, causing Stakely to be thrown off the car. She suffered a severe head injury and was rushed to Mount Carmel East Hospital in critical condition, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

The suspect abandoned the vehicle a short distance away, leaving Stakely's son unharmed and still asleep inside. The perpetrator then fled the scene on foot. Surveillance footage from earlier that morning captured a group of males scouting apartments in a nearby complex. Two of these individuals matched the description of the suspects seen fleeing the scene after Stakely was struck.

Stakely, a resident of Pickerington, Ohio, was a dedicated single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her son. She held two jobs, one as a speech pathologist for Canal Winchester Schools and another as a waitress. She was known affectionately as "Ms. Alexa" by many in the community and had been a beloved member of the Winchester Trail Elementary School staff for five years. Her commitment to her son and her students was evident in all aspects of her life.

The Canal Winchester Schools district expressed their grief and condolences in a heartfelt message on their Facebook page, which has garnered hundreds of shares and comments from those who knew and admired Stakely. "Alexa was smart, compassionate, and deeply committed to helping children thrive academically," the district's statement read. "Her dedication to her son was unparalleled, and her loss is a profound tragedy for our community."

Detectives are actively investigating the incident and are urging anyone with information or video footage of the suspects to come forward. Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving this case. "We always tell people, 'Don't leave your car running, don't leave kids in your vehicle unattended,'" Sgt. Albert said. "This one, I'm not gonna armchair quarterback a mother trying to protect her son. It's just a tragic incident all around."

In the wake of this devastating event, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Stakely's son. The fundraiser aims to provide financial assistance for his future needs and has already seen an outpouring of support from the community.

As authorities continue their search for the individuals responsible for this senseless act, the community of Columbus mourns the loss of a devoted mother and a cherished educator. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise in moments of desperation and the profound impact such tragedies have on families and communities.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Lemmon at (614) 645-2558 or RALemmon@ColumbusPolice.org, or to call Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).

The loss of Alexa Stakely is a poignant reminder of the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her child, and her memory will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those she touched.