What could have been just another case of carjacking turned into a surprising display of morality.

Earlier this week, a mother left her running car in the parking lot of a Salt Lake City motel so she could run into the lobby and check in to her room.

That’s when 23-year-old Francisco Esmerado seized his chance and stole the vehicle.

As the carjacker was pulling out onto the interstate, however, he realized that he had stolen more than just the woman’s car – her 12-year-old son was sitting in the back seat.