School Custodian’s Act of Compassion Goes Viral

A school custodian at Melba Passmore Elementary in Alvin, Texas, is becoming an internet star after a photo of her comforting a student with autism was posted on Facebook, reports CBS News.

The photo, posted by the student’s mother, Hollie Bellew-Shaw, shows the custodian known as “Ms. Esther,” on the cafeteria floor beside her fourth-grade daughter who was wrapped in a blanket.

“Our school custodian is literally the best, sweetest individual in the world,” Bellew-Shaw wrote on Facebook. “[Kenlee] wanted no part of being in the cafeteria this morning with all the noise so she laid down with her blanket on the stage. When Ms. Esther saw her, she came and laid next to her and patted her back. All schools should be so lucky to have their own angel on campus. Feel free to share so she can get all the appreciation and thanks she totally deserves.”

The school district also posted the photo on Facebook. Both posts were shared hundreds of times.

Autism Speaks, a national organization that is dedicated to advancing autism research and treatment, also shared the story, which has now been covered by multiple national news outlets.