Scary Encounter for North Carolina Woman
A 75-year-old woman experienced a shocking moment when she found an escaped inmate hiding in her car. Marie Steinberg, who is married to former North Carolina state senator Bob Steinberg, was just starting her day on Monday when she encountered 23-year-old Charles Babb in her Honda Civic.
Leaving her Edenton home around 7:30 a.m., she unlocked her car and was startled to see Babb crouched in the back seat, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit and wrapped in a blanket. “I clicked unlock, and then I saw something moving back there,” she recalled, clearly surprised.
Feeling cautious, Steinberg took a few steps back, unsure of how the situation might unfold. Babb had just escaped from the Chowan County Detention Center the previous night, reportedly using a makeshift knife to break free.
Despite warnings from authorities for residents to stay indoors and secure their homes, Steinberg found herself talking to Babb. “I figured if I treated him kindly, he might do the same,” she explained. He kept apologizing, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s so cold,” which caught her off guard. She thought it might be best to head inside for her coat.
However, in a sudden turn of events, Babb took off down the driveway, leaving behind his prison sandals and face mask. Steinberg quickly jumped into her car, called out to her husband, and dialed 911. “I could barely get the key in the lock because I was shaking so much,” she said.
The Edenton Police apprehended Babb just a short time later. While authorities haven’t revealed the specifics of his escape, they confirmed he was being held on felony charges for trespassing and theft prior to his getaway.
Bob Steinberg praised his wife’s calm demeanor during such a frightening ordeal, expressing that they both felt a higher power had been watching over them. “We will definitely remember to lock our car doors from now on,” Marie chuckled, adding, “Believe me, it can happen.”
Meanwhile, the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into how Babb escaped. It seems like this couple learned a valuable lesson, one they’ll likely never forget.
