I helped a lost child - her dad's response was baffling

EXCLUSIVE: "She was calling out 'Dad'... it was shocking that no one came forward."

I was sitting in the sun at the park, with my kid and our puppy, when I noticed a young girl on a scooter doing laps on the concrete path in front of us.

She was flying through the air, loving herself sick... but all I noticed was that she wasn't wearing a helmet. 

Noting she looked about five or six, I thought she should be wearing one; a typical mum response. Unfortunately, I probably jinxed her, because she suddenly hit a small rock, and was thrown on to the ground.

As she sat there cradling her badly grazed knee, she tearfully looked around and called, "Dad..? Dad..?"

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As we watched her increasingly panic for about a minute, I was deciding whether I should 'interfere'.

If that were my son, I'd totally want some lovely parent to help him out.

But I was also wondering, where the fu** is this man? I began to panic on her behalf.

Finally, I approached her and asked:

What's your name? My name is Nama and this is my puppy and my son. Where is Dad? Where was he last?

I didn't really get any info, so I picked up her scooter and took her to our bench.

I discovered that the stereotype was true: most kids will really follow a cute dog.

Her knee didn't look too bad, and luckily she was distracted by our pup. 

After about another 10 minutes, I was thinking that there must be a panicked parent frantically looking for her - because they hadn't found her yet.

She took the leash, I carried the scooter, and we began to walk search the park for 'Dad'.

We eventually found him when he called out from behind us, "Hey!" and the little girl spun around.

Image: Supplied/iStock

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"He was angry I was taking his daughter"

"Where are you going?" he bellowed, as he marched over.

I was so surprised that he was angry. I would have run over and hugged my kid, and been so grateful I had located him.

But then, perhaps with my puppy and my son, and my short stature, I seemed like a threat...?

"She fell off her scooter and was calling for you," I snapped, as thought I were his frustrated wife.

"We were waiting for you but you didn't come." 

The man finally got to us and snatched the scooter from my hand, and grabbed his daughter's wrist.

"Thanks," he said gruffly, with no apology, explanation or genuine gratitude.

And yes, I do think that should have been his attitude - it would have been mine - and I was baffled that it wasn't.

It made me wonder if I had done the right thing. Should I have just left her there? Should I have called the cops about an abandoned child?

I know why I took responsibility for her; because in the absence of her caregiver, I'd rather it had been me, than someone dangerous.

And I really hope that one day if the roles are reversed, a stranger doesn't worry about etiquette, and looks after my kid instead.

Originally published as I helped a lost child - her dad's response was baffling