On a cold November day, a five-year-old boy was playing near a river while his mother, distracted by her phone, paid no attention. In an instant, the boy slipped and fell into the icy water, struggling as the current pulled him under. His mother didn’t even notice.

Across the river, a homeless man named Erlich—someone the locals often ignored—heard the boy’s cries. Without hesitation, he dove into the freezing water, pulling the child to safety.

But when he returned the shivering boy to his mother, she didn’t thank him. Instead, she screamed at him, accusing him of being a “creep” and saying it would’ve been better if her son had drowned than been touched by someone like him.

Stunned and heartbroken, Erlich made a bold choice. He hugged the boy close and calmly walked away to a nearby neighbor—a kind woman—and begged her to help. She called the police, who arrived quickly.

The mother was taken away, and after an investigation, she lost custody. The boy was cared for by the neighbor before eventually finding a new home with a foster family.

One act of kindness changed his life forever.