Man Helps Rescue Kidnapped Girl, Gives Her the Reward Money

15-year-old Jasmine Block in Minnesota was kidnapped back in August by a guy who knew her family. Then two other guys helped hold her captive for almost a month before she was finally rescued.

They moved her around to several locations. Then in early September, they brought her to an abandoned house on a lake. When they left to get food, she escaped.

She went to a few houses and knocked on doors to get help, but no one was home. She ended up having to swim across the lake to get away.

65-year-old Earl Melchert was about to leave for work when he saw her running through a field. He recognized her face from the news and got her inside to call the police.

Right after they showed up, she happened to see one of the kidnappers drive by in his car. The cops arrested him, and all three men are now in custody.

Jasmine's family doesn't have much money. But they'd offered $2,000 to anyone who could help find her. Then an anonymous donor offered another $5,000. Police gave Earl a check for seven grand last Friday.

He's in pretty good shape financially, he actually retired last week. So he decided to give all $7,000 to Jasmine instead. He says just helping her was the best retirement gift he could get.

Read more at New York Times.