Two Nurses Come to the Rescue of a Teen Girl in the Process of Being Kidnapped
The incident occurred when a 17-year-old teen was walking on the crowded intersection at 79th St. and Bergenline Ave. Her abductor, 35-year-old Robert Canavalan, grabbed her in a chokehold and attempted to drag her away.
Strangers Witness the Struggle
Police say the encounter lasted two whole minutes, which must have felt like hours to the panicked teen, before anyone intervened. Surveillance footage showed four men walking by the teen and her abductor before two nurses from a nearby clinic, another woman, and a man who was sitting in his car came to her rescue when they heard her scream.
It’s almost unbelievable that people could see a girl getting handled violently and say or do nothing. But that’s exactly what happened.
"While I can understand the hesitation for a civilian to physically step in, I would have hoped they would at least have called 911," said North Bergen Det. Capt. David Dowd.
Nurses Rescue Teen
The police captain praised the nurses. They’re used to helping save lives nearly every day—and especially during the COVID pandemic and other health crises.
In this case, “they demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment to protecting life," he said.
Justice Is Served
Thanks to the nurses' quick actions, police were quickly called. Robert Canavalan was arrested for kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child and was taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
These four people who stepped in for that teen acted as guardian angels. Sometimes, in our times of need, we need people—strangers, even, like these nurses—to be alert and look out for us. This true story goes to show that even when danger lurks and Satan tries to knock us down, God can work through unfamiliar faces. And amen to that.
WATCH: Two Nurses Come to the Rescue of a Teen Girl in the Process of Being Kidnapped
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Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Eyewitness News ABC7 NY
Originally published May 22, 2025.
