Mariska Hargitay is the iconic actress known for her role on Law and Order: SVU. She has played Olivia Benson, a no-nonsense detective for 25 seasons, becoming the longest-running character on a prime-time drama series.

She was on location in New York while filming a scene for the upcoming season. Hargitay was dressed as Benson, wearing her police badge.

That’s when a young girl walked up to Hargitay, mistaking her for a real cop. The girl had become lost and couldn’t find her mother. That’s when the famed actress swooped into action.

From People:
A witness tells PEOPLE that the little girl had been separated from her mother in the Anne Loftus Playground in Fort Tryon Park and enlisted Hargitay for help. The actress obliged, halting production for 20 minutes to help the child locate her mother and to console them both.

The little girl was completely oblivious to the film crew — and to Hargitay’s scene partner, Ice-T — the witness notes, as she believed Hargitay to be an on-duty police officer.

Mariska Hargitay halted production of a scene to help a little girl in need. The child thought Hargitay was a real police officer. She had been separated from her mother while at the park. Hargitay didn’t hesitate to stop her work and help find her mother.

After twenty minutes, she reunited the girl with her mother. It appears the girl had been taught by her parents to look for a police officer when in need. Seeing the badge on Hargitay’s clothing, she assumed she could help her.

The presence of cameras and other actors didn’t seem to deter the child from seeking help. And, to her credit, the actress was willing to stop what she was doing to help.

This small moment illustrated that even famous celebrities can, at times, put aside their interests to help those in need. Hargitay demonstrated the kindness and compassion we are all capable of and desperately need in this day and age.

Key Takeaways:

• SVU star Mariska Hargitay was mistaken for a real cop by a lost girl.
• The actress stopped the production of her show to help the girl locate her mother.
• The girl had gotten lost while at the park in New York City and approached Hargitay because of her police badge.

Source: People