Marie Steinburg of Edenton, N.C., discovered escaped inmate Charles Babb hiding in her car the morning after he fled the Chowan County Detention Center. Babb, 23, allegedly used a small hand-held edged weapon to escape on Dec. 7 and now faces multiple charges, including felony escape. Steinburg calmly spoke with him until he left the vehicle and her husband called police; deputies later arrested Babb after an overnight search. The sheriff's office says a full investigation will follow to determine how the escape occurred.
‘I Saw Something Moving in My Back Seat’: Edenton Woman Finds Escaped Inmate Hiding in Her Car
Chowan County Sheriff's OfficeMugshot for Charles Owen Babb
Edenton, N.C. — A local woman had a startling surprise the morning after an inmate escaped from the Chowan County Detention Center: the man was hiding in her vehicle.
Marie Steinburg walked to her car at about 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, expecting it to be locked after the previous night. When she unlocked the vehicle, she saw movement in the back seat and immediately stepped away in shock.
"I clicked the unlock, and it must have scared the guy, because the next thing I know, I saw something moving in my back seat and I backed away because I thought, 'Somebody is in my car,'" Steinburg told WAVY.
The man was later identified as 23-year-old Charles Babb, who had escaped the Chowan County Detention Center on the evening of Dec. 7. According to the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office, Babb allegedly used "a small hand-held edged weapon to force his way out of the jail and into the community." Court records reviewed by PEOPLE show Babb now faces a felony charge related to the escape, plus counts for breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen property.
Steinburg said the man repeatedly apologized and told her he was very cold. Trying to keep the situation calm, she spoke gently to him and offered to fetch a coat. He asked to use a phone and inquired whether there was a nearby McDonald's. After a brief conversation, the man exited the car and ran off, still wearing an orange prison jumpsuit.
Steinburg went inside and had her husband, former state senator Bob Steinberg, call authorities. "It worked out the way it was supposed to work out. And thank God everybody was safe," he told WAVY, praising his wife's calm response.
Deputies launched an all-night search following reports of sightings and tips from community members. Law enforcement later located and apprehended Babb and returned him to the Chowan County Detention Center. The sheriff's office said a full investigation will be conducted to determine how the escape occurred and what safeguards should be added to prevent a recurrence.
Note: People and local outlets provided initial reporting; the sheriff’s office released statements on social media about the escape and subsequent search. PEOPLE has reached out to the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office for further comment.
