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Metro officer calms 4-year-old with autism having a 'meltdown' on train, escorts him home

'It’s a meltdown. He’s just screaming and everyone on the train is looking” Pomilla said. “He sees those stares and he’s like, game on. It entices him almost.'

WASHINGTON — The commute home for a D.C. mom was a nightmare late last week. Taylor Pomilla said her 4-year-old son was screaming, crawling on the floor, threw his shoe across the train, was pulling her hair and kicking during the evening rush.

“It’s a meltdown. He’s just screaming and everyone on the train is looking” Pomilla said. “He sees those stares and he’s like, game on. It entices him almost. He’s just mad.”

Pomilla said, she had to let everyone on the train now, her son Andrew has autism and struggles with processing his emotions. “Sometimes it becomes way too much, and it just blows up.”

His blowup continued on the Metro Center platform. While Pomilla was crying, Andrew continued screaming and crawling toward the tracks.

However, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. 

“I see someone out of the corner of my eye walk up and I'm like, great. This is going to be fantastic. It's going to be someone who is ready to get all mad,” Pomilla said.

Instead, a Metro Transit Police officer offered to help Pomilla.

Credit: Taylor Pomilla
4-year-old Andrew walks with Metro Transit Police Officer

RELATED: 'Restored my faith' | Metro officer goes beyond call of duty to help calm boy with autism on train ride home

Officer Case held Andrew’s hand the whole ride home. When the trip was over, the officer also let Andrew have his badge.

A single mom, Pomilla was stunned. “It was a perfect ride and honestly, just to breathe for a second was nice.”

Pomilla shared the experience on Facebook because she says parents who have kids with autism often talk about all the judgmental stares and lack of help they receive during public breakdowns.

“This officer COMPLETELY went out of his way to help Andrew. He honestly restored my faith that there are good people still left in the world,” she wrote.

Pomilla did speak with Officer Case by phone to thank him for helping last week. A reunion is currently being arranged.

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