Officer's compassionate act shared on social media

A Morgan City police officer chose to show compassion last week to a woman accused of stealing diapers for her child.
The Daily Review contacted the officer who responded to the scene of an alleged theft after learning through social media of his decision to purchase the diapers for the woman.
Patrol Officer Dustin Fromenthal responded Thursday to a theft at a store. When Fromenthal arrived, he learned the woman police received the complaint about tried to steal diapers for her child, and she didn’t have any money to pay for the diapers, he said.
So Fromenthal decided to buy the diapers for her and told her not to be scared to ask for help next time instead of deciding to steal, he said. Fromenthal did have to arrest the woman identified as Alexius M. Helton, 24, of Chestnut Drive in Morgan City, on the charge of theft of goods. She was released on bail.
Fromenthal said he had a duty to do his job in that situation but felt compassion for Helton.
“I’m proud of the fact that he (Fromenthal) stood up and tried to help the lady in this particular case, and we encourage all the officers to do that,” Police Chief James Blair said.
“We try to get across to the officers to have empathy for people, although we have a job to do, and part of that’s upholding the law. But we can still show professionalism and empathy towards the people we deal with even if we do have to take action against them,” Blair said.
Police plan to follow up with Helton and make sure that she gets the assistance she needs, Blair said.