Kidnapper throws boy, 9, out of car for singing gospel song, ‘Every Praise’

Willie Myrick
(Photo: 11Alive News)

Willie Myrick, 9, went missing for three hours when a stranger kidnapped him from the front yard of his some in Atlanta’s southwest community. Terrified, the young boy turned to gospel music to quell his fear. Uncertain why he was targeted by the child abductor, little Myrick started singing the gospel song “Every Praise,” by Hezekiah Walker. On Thursday, April 17, 2014, Myrick shared his story with the congregation at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, of how the man asked him repeatedly to shut up before releasing him.

(Photo: 11Alive News)
(Photo: 11Alive News)

“He opened the door and threw me out,” Willie said. “He told me not to tell anyone.”


The Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, Walker, flew from New York to Atlanta to meet Myrick.

“I just wanted to hug him and tell him I love him,” Walker said. So he surprised him at the church and hugged him tightly before belting out the single that saved the young boy’s life.


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