What should’ve been a normal Amazon delivery drop-off turned into a significant moment that may have saved a woman’s life.
A driver for the e-commerce company, whose identity has not yet been revealed, was dropping off a package at someone’s home in Indian River County, Florida, when his customer appeared to try and relay a message to him.
“She came to me and she said, ‘If I can ask you a favor to call the police to come to her house,’ I don’t know what happened exactly,” he told police dispatchers, adding that she had whispered “help me.”
A delivery driver was deemed a hero after calling the police for a woman after she whispered “help me”
Image credits: Andrew Stickelman / Unsplash (Not the actual photo)
It also appeared as if there was a man in the house with her, the woman trying her best to draw as little attention to the interaction as possible.
Authorities arrived at the address on March 28 to find a couple sitting on the porch. Upon closer investigation, it appeared as if the woman — who was the same one to ask for help — had red marks on her neck and looked to be distressed.
Image credits: Super Straho / Unsplash (Not the actual photo)
While the details are unclear, 43-year-old Frank Mandolini was arrested after the visit, with a felony charge of domestic battery.
After the pair separated, the woman gave police a rundown of what had happened.
She claimed that she had first seen Mandolini using his phone and tablet to talk to other women or view p–rngraphy.
When she brought it up, he exploded, grabbing her by the neck and dragging her to the floor. He suffocated her until she began to lose consciousness and nearly blacked out.
43YO Frank Mandolini was arrested for domestic battery
Image credits: Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
While Mandolini did admit to the attack, he said he did not make her lose her breath while choking her.
In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Austin Stowe addressed the incident and said drivers are specially trained to deal with these kinds of situations.
“All drivers delivering on behalf of Amazon undergo comprehensive training in de-escalation techniques and safety protocols,” he said.
“In the rare event that a driver encounters an issue during their delivery [they are able to contact a 24/7 Amazon Safety Helpline for immediate assistance].”
Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / Unsplash (Not the actual photo)
Sheriff Eric Flowers also gave praise where it was due.
“That guy’s truly a hero. This guy probably saved her life. Kudos to him,” he said.
As news broke, these exact words were echoed by the public.
“Incredible save,” one person praised. “But wow… It’s that bad out there that Amazon Delivery drivers need to be trained for scenarios like this and learn to de escalate situations… like wow. Smh. The whole dang country needs to go to therapy.”
Another wrote, “Thank heaven he was able to help her.”
A spokesperson said Amazon delivery drivers are specially trained to spot out unusual, risky situations
Image credits: Michael Förtsch / Unsplash (Not the actual photo)
Image credits: WPEC (Not the actual photo)
As stated by The Harvard Gazette, it seems as if violence against women has increased to “unprecedented levels” following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a 2021 United Nations report called Measuring the Shadow Pandemic: Violence Against Women During COVID-19.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine also said that domestic violence cases increased by 25 to 33% globally.
The outlet wrote that these “unintended consequences” stem from the lockdowns that were recommended by global health experts. It was the right decision to protect public health, but “we have to recognize the collateral and unintended impacts as well.”
Domestic violence cases have been on the rise following the lockdown from COVID-19
Image credits: WPEC
They added that a lockdown — where people are isolated in their homes with only their immediate family or with those they live with — could have increased the risk factors for domestic violence in a number of ways.
For example, there were more financial stressors because of income loss due to unemployment. There was also the loss of ability to have some space to breathe for anyone who was in a risky relationship.
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (Not the actual photo)
Interactions with abusive partners are only limited to certain hours of the day when people are able to leave for work, and the potential for conflict is, therefore, also limited.
If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic abuse, help is available. The Safe and Together Institute provides international domestic violence resources.
The driver was labeled a “hero” by many on the Internet
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