An unnamed police officer was driving with his wife on Shobnall Road in Burton-upon-Trent, U.K., when he spotted a 2-year-old girl walking alone on the side of the road, as reported by The Guardian. 

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When the officer asked the girl if she was OK, the girl told him that she was going to nursery school since she wasn't able to wake her mom up, Staffordshire police said in the account. 

At this point in time, the officer became very worried and decided to follow the girl back to her home. He wanted to make sure the girl was safe and in a good environment. After all, 2-year-old girls shouldn't be walking outside alone by themselves without supervision. 

Following the girl back to her house, the police officer discovered a devastating truth: The girl's mother, 30-year-old Nicolla Rushton, was dead. 

Chief Inspector Steve Maskrey told the Guardian that the police officer stayed with the toddler until emergency services arrived to take care of the situation. As The Independent informs, West Midlands Ambulance Service said that an ambulance and a paramedic were sent to the scene. 

"This is a brilliant piece of work by him that shows that we are never off-duty. The officer and his wife took the time to look after the little girl and stay with her until emergency services arrived. Sadly, nothing could be done to help the woman," Maskrey said to The Guardian. "My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time."

The Guardian reports that the girl is now in the care of relatives. An inquest will take place to determine the death of Rushton.