Washington, DC - The Department of Justice Wednesday honored Colin Blevin, a Santa Clara, California, resident, for his actions that led to the recovery of an abducted one-year-old girl and the apprehension of the child’s kidnapper.

Acting Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio presented Blevin with the Missing Children’s Citizen Award during the Justice Department’s National Missing Children’s Day ceremony. This award recognizes private citizens for extraordinary acts that lead to the safe recovery of missing or abducted children.

Blevin received his award for preventing a suspect from escaping with a one-year-old girl in a stolen car and keeping the child safe until police arrived. The offender was sentenced to more than five years in prison for felony child abuse and theft of a vehicle.

“Blevin’s quick actions epitomize courage, selflessness, and vigilance, and brought an innocent child home to safety,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. “The Department of Justice commends Blevin for making his community safer, through his successful rescue of the child and assist to law enforcement.”

In addition to Blevin, the Department also honored several law enforcement officers for their investigative efforts in sexual exploitation cases involving children and youth. Panuccio also recognized Eden Hoffmann, a fifth grader at Huron Elementary School in Clinton Township, Michigan, as the 19th winner of the National Missing Children’s Day poster contest.