St. Charles Police Applaud Michigan Mom

What’s the connection between St. Charles and an East Lansing, Mich. wife and mom who works as an assistant attorney general?

An act of kindness back in February helped reunited an elderly St. Charles resident who had become lost with her family.

On Monday night, Bethany Scheib’s willingness to reach out in concern for another human being earned her a standing ovation in the St. Charles City Council Chambers and a Citizen Appreciation Award, which was presented by Police Chief Jim Lamkin,

Scheib was on hand to receive the honors with her husband, Mike, and their sons, Ethan and Alden, in what Mayor Raymond Rogina called a “feel-good story.”

“The world we have today, there are many stories that don’t end up as good as this one did,” Lamkin told the City Council and residents attending the meeting. “It’s a great story of the good that can happen when someone takes the time to pay attention to someone else. ...For us, it was very gratifying to know that we could bring this to a good conclusion.”

Lamkin credited Scheib for her caring assistance to a St. Charles resident in need, and he said the Police Department’s admiration for her actions warranted bringing her and members of her family to St. Charles to receive the award.

The story began on a Sunday morning, Feb. 24, when 89-year-old Sara F. Mignin left her St. Charles home on a Sunday morning with plans to visit her daughter. She didn’t arrive as expected, and her daughter called police.

Police confirmed that neither Mignin nor her car were at home. Working with her family, officers filed a missing person report and sent information out to other law enforcement agencies across the region. Still, it was not until the next day that police were able to begin pulling in details about what had happened to Mignin.

First, there was word that her credit card was used to purchase gasoline in Walworth, Wis. about 12:16 p.m. the day she disappeared. Then came news that she made a purchase at 10:30 a.m. Monday, in Woodland, Mich., the Chronicle's story said.

It wasn’t until her arrival at a Panda Express in East Lansing, Mich., however, that anyone appeared to notice that Mignin seemed disoriented. That someone was Bethany Scheib, Lamkin said.

In talking with Mignin, Scheib soon learned the elderly woman was lost and wanted directions home. After more discussion, Scheib was able to get information about how to contact the woman’s family to let them know she was all right.

But Scheib went the extra mile — driving her own car to South Bend, Ind., to meet members of Mignin’s family.

“The care and concern given by Bethany to a stranger who appeared to be in distress” is commendable, said Lamkin. “She has set an example of an unselfish act of kindness and citizenship that few can match. On behalf of the city of St. Charles, we commend her for those actions to help another make it home safely.”

Lamkin’s remarks brought a round of applause that soon became a standing ovation.

“We’re very grateful to see you are back in St. Charles, safe and sound, Mayor Rogina said to Mignin, who attended the ceremony.

And to you ma’am,” he said, turning to Scheib, “all I can say is a grateful city says thank you for a wonderful deed.”

Related:

• Missing St. Charles Woman Found in Michigan

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