Stolen Miracle (2001) (TV)

Director:

Norma Bailey

Writers:

Shelley Eriksen (writer)
Peter Lauterman (writer)

Release Date:

18 December 2001 (Canada)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Protect what you value most.

Plot:

Karen and Phil's first male child is stolen by a false nurse on Christmas' Eve. A determined policewoman follows all clues in order to find the baby before it's too late. |

Plot Keywords:

Baby Napping | Mounted Police Officer | Police Officer | Based On True Story

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Leslie Hope	...	Sgt. Jane McKinley
Nola Augustson	...	Margaret Whelmer
Gabriel Hogan	...	Const. Graham Taylor
Marnie McPhail	...	Karen Lewis
Dean McDermott	...	Ron McKinley
Hugh Thompson	...	Phil Lewis
Ashley Fuzio	...	Paul Lewis
Jayme Krane	...	Jennifer Lewis
Alan Van Sprang	...	Darryl Courmier
Michael Cera	...	Brandon McKinley
Vickie Papavs		(as Vicky Papavs)
Kayla Perlmutter	...	Laura McKinley
Robert Bockstael	...	Captain Terry Dougan
Erik Knudsen	...	Tommy
Moynan King	...	Lisa Miller

Runtime:

Brazil:90 min

Country:

Canada

Certification:

UK:12 | Australia:M

Company:

Canadian Television (CTV)

Inspired by a true story, but very close to the real thing!

I was only four at the time, but I did indeed remember in 1993 around Christmas that Margaret Wheeler, a woman pretending to be a nurse, walked into Carleton General Hospital, and walked out with a new born baby girl. My mother, who was expecting, felt terrible, but my parents were relieved to find the next day, Wheeler was caught. I thought, what kind of person would do something like that, along with her partner, Darryl Thibidault. It was scary. But in 2001 when Stolen Miracle hit Lifetime's Christmas specials, I was beginning to see another side of the story I hadn't already seen.

Jane Mckinley, a young Sargeant police officer, is desperate in trying to keep her family together, and also the people she knows around Carleton, Canada, safe. When she finds that Karen and Phil Lewis's premature baby has been stolen from the hospital, Jane must put everything aside, including her family, in hopes that she can help someone else in need, before the kidnapper, a manic-depressive named Mary Whelmer can get away with little Paul.

You've heard the side of the police officers, the families, but not the kidnappers. The amazingly talented and underrated Nola Auguston, who plays the bipolar Mary, was awesome in her portrayal of the kidnapper. You felt for her, even though she was the one who stole Paul from the hospital. You knew she wanted a family she could never have, and in her efforts to simply have one perfect Christmas, she takes a baby promising her boyfriend, Darryl, she'll take him back. Her boyfriend, an ex-prisoner on probation can do nothing, and if he tries to take Paul, he knows he'll be the one put on blame, even though he wants to take Paul back. It's an amazing story, and soon, you begin to realize that the two wanted a healthy family, but can never have it because of a miscarriage Mary suffered.

Then there's the story of Jane McKinley (beautiful Leslie Hope), changed from the true life Allison McKinley. There's also another side to her story in why she wants to protect everyone. Her son, played perfectly by Michael Cera, is portrayed as a whiny little brat whose feelings change when he realizes the truth of why his mom wants to keep everyone safe, and it's true. When we find out things, we all change for the better.

Stolen Miracle has got to be one of the best made movies. I wish it were on video, but I just wait until the holidays come around, and then I can record it. Watch it, you'll like it with every side of the story in a movie you could possibly imagine. All actors are perfect and not one misplaced. You'll love em' all.