AUTHORITIES IN LOUISIANA SAY A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY ACTED "QUICKLY AND COURAGEOUSLY" AFTER HE JUMPED FROM A MOVING VEHICLE.(PHOTO).

 Authorities in Louisiana say a 10-year-old boy acted "quickly and courageously" after he jumped from a moving vehicle.

This incident occurred on Monday, December 8th, in Kenner, Louisiana.  

Authorities say on that date at approximately 1:45 p.m., 36-year-old Mackenzie Switzer (pictured below) pulled into a local parking lot in a stolen Chevy Malibu.

Switzer was looking to steal another car, and when he spotted a Nissan Rouge that had been left running, he jumped in and took off.

Unfortunately, a 10-year-old boy was inside of the vehicle when Switzer stole it. The boy had been waiting for his parents to return.

Upon realizing his parents' car was being stolen and that he was in potential danger, the young man made a split-second decision. He opened his door and bailed out of the moving SUV.

Thankfully, the boy was uninjured during his escape, and he would ultimately help police locate and arrest Switzer. 

In his haste to get out of the vehicle, the boy had left his phone behind.  Police were able to track the phone to a car dealership in Metairie, LA.

When police found Switzer, he was in the process of entering a vehicle owned by the dealership. 

Authorities hope that this incident will serve as a reminder to never leave a running vehicle unattended, especially when a child is inside.

Mackenzie Switzer is being charged with simple kidnapping, illegal possession of stolen things, and carjacking. More charges are expected for Switzer's offenses in Metairie.