COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 13: Alexa Stakely, a 29-year-old single mother, tragically lost her life on Thursday while attempting to protect her 6-year-old son during an attempted carjacking outside a babysitter's home. The incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m. at an apartment complex in Columbus, where Stakely had gone to pick up her son, Deluca, after completing a waitress shift, in addition to her role as a preschool teacher.

According to police reports, Stakely had just placed her older son inside the Honda when she realized she had forgotten something inside the babysitter's home. As she rushed back, she saw the car starting to move with her younger son still asleep in the backseat. In a desperate attempt to stop the thieves, Stakely bravely jumped onto the hood of her vehicle.

Tragically, she was thrown from the car as the thieves accelerated away. Stakely struck her head on the pavement and succumbed to her injuries later at Mount Carmel East Hospital.

The car thieves abandoned the vehicle nearby and fled the scene. Surveillance footage captured two men matching the suspects' description, but they remain at large as authorities continue their search.

Alexa Stakely was described by her family as a dedicated and loving mother who worked tirelessly to support her children. Her stepbrother, Hayden Swartz, remembered her as someone who always saw the positive side of life and strived to achieve her goals, despite challenges in her upbringing.

Community members have expressed shock and grief over Stakely's tragic death, flooding social media with condolences and calls for justice. Her impact as a speech and language pathologist in Canal Winchester Schools and her warm personality have left a lasting impression on those who knew her.

As the investigation continues, Stakely's family and friends mourn her loss and remember her for her selflessness and unwavering dedication to her family and community.