Nov 5, 2009 6:20 pm US/Central
Woman's Pastor Speaks Out In CTA Stroller Incident
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Pastor David Philemon says he is in complete support of Ebere Ozonwu, the mother whose baby and stroller was stuck in a CTA train.
CBS
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A 22-month-old girl was dragged by a CTA train at the Morse stop after her stroller got caught in the train doors.
CBS
There's new information about the CTA stroller mystery. On Wednesday, a
CTA union official questioned reports that a toddler's stroller became stuck in the doors of a CTA train and was dragged 75 feet as the mother looked on.
Now police and the CTA confirm paint from the platform guardrail is on the stroller. And the pastor of the mother is speaking out. As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, the pastor says he and his congregation stand behind her.
Pastor David Philemon says he is in complete support of Ebere Ozonwu. Ozonwu has been a member of his church for about a year. Pastor Philemon says this entire experience has been traumatic for the 26-year-old single parent.
"That's her only daughter and first-time mother, she was like, she said she thought the baby was gone, was dead, and she was willing to just run in front of the train and let something just hit her," Philemon said.
Philemon said he spoke to the woman who is at the center of this
story involving a CTA train and her stroller-riding daughter on Thursday. At that time, the pastor says Ozonwu told him she was in emotional and physical pain, and needed to see a doctor.
"She had to go to the emergency and I think they injected her. They treated her, they gave her some attention and she's back home," Philemon said. "At least, I spoke with her this morning and she's getting better. At least she could talk this morning, not like yesterday, but she's better today."
The pastor said Ozonwu's daughter Rachel is recovering. The pastor said the 22-month-old was limping slightly when she left the hospital. He says he and his congregation have been praying for Rachel and her mother.
"We have already rallied support around her. The church members have been calling her and showing her love, which is what we are here for," Philemon said.
The CTA says their investigation continues. The train remains out of service. The operator is off duty, without pay, until the investigation is complete.
Meantime, the president of the union representing the operator says if the story is credible, it does point to a major malfunction with the train. Union President Robert Kelly's comments come after both the CTA and police confirm paint from the platform guardrail was found on the stroller.
Kelly said, while he understands the police say the story is credible, he still has major questions. He still has a hard time understanding how the stroller and child could have gone through so much, with little to no damage. Kelly said, if the story is true, it was a miracle.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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