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25-year-old Alexis Smith was officially crowned Miss Kansas earlier this month. She beat out 25 contestants to become the third Black woman to ever win the title. And while these accomplishments are to be admired, it's her empowering message to her abusive ex who had the gall to sit in the audience that makes her the real winner.
*Featured image contains photo by Kindel MediaA thief in Portland, Oregon tried to steal a 1999 white Cadillac... Unfortunately for him, he picked the wrong car.When 79-year-old great-grandmother, Noble Jean Napoleon caught the thief in the act, she wasn't having it. Undaunted, not only did she thwart her own vehicle's theft but her actions helped authorities bust a car theft ring. And if there's any lesson to be learned from this, it's "Don't mess with Grandma."Great-Grandma Stops a Car ThiefWhen Napoleon picked up her great-grandkids from school the last thing she expected to see was her Cadillac drive-by on the back of a tow truck.Having left the car parked outside her apartment earlier that afternoon while she borrowed her son's SUV, she was just pulling out of a gas station when the tow truck rumbled past.Knowing something was drastically wrong, she immediately sprang into action. Telling her great-grandkids to "fasten their seatbelts tight," Granny took off in hot pursuit."I was trailing him," she told the Oregonian. "I was right on his butt."The tow truck driver and alleged car thief, Joseph Allen Beard, 52, had no idea what was coming. (Hell hath no fury like a great-grandma whose Caddy is being stolen).Napoleon pulled up beside the truck, rolled down her window, and yelled, "You take my damn car back where you got it from!"Instead of stopping, Beard sped off. Undaunted, Napoleon charged."Let's GO!"Noble Jean NapoleonAt one point in her chase, she enlisted the help of a few men parked on the side of the road, asking them to follow her.Eventually, she caught up to the thief and her self-appointed deputies helped box him in. When the men got out of their cars and approached the truck driver, she yelled at them not to "beat him up.""I need him to take my car back home," she told them.Operation MistleTOWWhen Napoleon confronted Beard, he tried to convince her that the Cadillac was his friend's car. When that didn't work, he offered to unhitch the vehicle and leave it. But Napoleon wasn't done with him yet."You're taking it back where it came from," she told him. She then proceeded to follow him all the way home."I trailed him all the way back," she said. "I wasn't playin'." Napoleon contacted the police shortly afterward, giving them Beard's license plate number. It was exactly what they needed to finally bust "Operation MistleTow" wide open.Apparently, this wasn't an isolated event. For the past few months, the District Attorney’s Office’s Auto Theft Task Force had been waiting for the break they needed to stop an illegal tow truck operation stealing cars and selling them for scrap metal.That's where our unlikely vigilante comes in. According to the DA's Office, a representative of Maters Auto Recycling sold about 80 vehicles to Rivergate Scrap Metal, at least 22 of which were stolen. The representative is alleged to be Beard.Thanks to Napoleon, Beard was arrested and the operation shut down.Now, he's facing multiple charges, including Trafficking in Stolen Vehicles, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Forgery, and Identity Theft. He's pleaded "Not Guilty."Don't Mess With GrandmaWhile the police cautioned Napoleon not to take matters into her own hands in the future and to "be careful," the sassy septuagenarian says Beard is the one who should have been careful."If I had my slugger in here, he'd have been careful 'cause I would have slugged him all over everything, yes," she said.Despite her age (or maybe because of it), Napoleon is clearly a force to be reckoned with. And she proves that when it comes to courage and fighting injustice, we all have the power to stand up. No matter our age or circumstances.More from Goalcast:Thief Steals Truck and Unbelievably Returns It a Few Days Later – Leaves Behind a Gift and a NoteSingle Mom of 5 Texts the Thief Who Stole Her Car to Return It – And She Actually Succeeded!Man Finds Out a Thief Has Broken Into and Stolen From His Restaurant – His Unexpected Reaction Goes Viral
You never know what you might do in an emergency situation until you’re actually in an emergency situation. At that point, instinct takes over, and you hope that you’ll do the things you were taught. Luckily, that’s exactly what four girls did when they were faced with a potential kidnapper one summer night in Michigan.A Scary ConfrontationOne Friday night, four girls were leaving a Speedway gas station. The youngest was in Grade 6, the oldest was in Grade 8. As they walked away, they noticed a strange man following them. So they crossed the street and went into a well-lit area, but he just kept coming.Then the girls’ worst fear came true when the man, a 22-year-old named Bruce Hipkins, allegedly grabbed the youngest girl, Allison Eickhoff, and said she was coming with him.The 11-year-old was scared, but she knew she had to fight back. Thankfully, the other four girls, including her older sister Lauren, decided to fight too. They hit, kicked, and threw whatever they had at him, including a cup of coffee.“My sister's friend just kept hitting, kicking, and scratching him and I just kept hitting him too,” Eickhoff told WNEM-TV, as per CBS News.A Narrow EscapeThe girls kept fighting until Hipkins reportedly let go of the 11-year-old. But when he tried to grab another one of the girls by her hair, they kept coming at him. Eventually, he fled on foot, and the girls ran down the road to an inn. There, they used the phone to dial 9-1-1.“They did exactly what they should’ve done in that situation,” Police Chief Jason Oliver told BuzzFeed News. “A lot of girls would’ve run, but they decided to fight and stay together. They did an amazing job.”“My dad taught me a few moves,” Allison added. “He taught me if anybody tries to get you, just aim for the neck and start punching, kicking, screaming, everything you can do to just get them away.”The girl added that she was doing okay, although she was scared to go outside by herself. Fortunately, though, no one was hurt, and Hipkins was arrested on several charges. Later he was convicted for unlawful imprisonment and criminal sexual conduct. These days he lives in Michigan but is listed on the state’s Sex Offender Registry.Being PreparedThere’s a Stephen King quote that goes, “There’s no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’re prepared for the worst.” We all hope that we are never in a situation like these girls experienced, but we also never know when we will need to act. That is why it’s important to prepare ourselves and those we love, just in case.Never be afraid to talk to kids about stranger danger or better yet, strange behavior. Remind them to never go anywhere with someone they don’t know, even if that person seems friendly. Let them know that well-meaning strangers don’t ask kids for help or randomly give them things without their parent’s permission, even if they happen to know names or personal information.And in the case that a child ever is in a potential kidnapping situation, teach them the importance of fighting back. Teach them to kick, scream, slam, throw things, and call attention to the situation.Hopefully, they’ll never have to use those skills, but at least they’ll be prepared for that scary, worst-case scenario.More from Goalcast:Man Lures 5-Year-Old With Ice-Cream and Kidnaps Her – But 2 Teens on Bikes Take Matters Into Their Own HandsMan Calls Cops and Claims to Be Kidnapped – When the Officer Arrives at the Scene, He Finds Something Completely Different9-Year-Old Girl and Her Baby Brother Kidnapped at 7-Eleven – She Follows Her Gut and Saves Her Brother’s Life
“Really, bro, you got to resort to this?"Those were a few of Santino Burrola's last words on social media before his life was ruined.Over 1.5 million people, including rapper Snoop Dogg, saw what he did. He'd lose his job, receive racist comments, fall behind on his bills and be separated from his family for what he did. A Crime in ProgressPhoto by Norma Mortenson“Me and the union rep sat down with them and they recommended termination,” recalled Santino Burrola to the New York Post. 'They' were supermarket King Soops, and they just fired him. Never mind that what he did brought a criminal to justice, with two at large. Yet, whenever he talks about it, Burrola says that his motivation is just.“Let me tell you something; if something is happening right in front of me, I’m gonna make it my business,” he said. And that's exactly what he did when he saw three men bolting through the King Soops parking lot. They had stolen over $500 worth detergent. At that moment, Burrola, a former military police officer, gave chase as they ran to load it into a black Chevy Trax. Shortly after, Burrola reached into his pocket and made his biggest mistake. A Grocery Store Worker Goes From Hero to ZeroFlipping out his phone, Burrola began recording the three thieves. “Really, bro, you got to resort to this? The economy isn’t that bad,” he can be heard saying.“Better gettin’ while the gettin’s good,” he joked to them as they loaded the car.The quick-thinking Burrola managed to yank a sheet of foil covering the license plate to get the number, leading to the driver's capture. If you think his brave act got him a thank you, you'd be wrong. Instead, after arriving at work the next day, Burrola learned that he'd been suspended. Then, just a week later, he was fired. As the video and news of his firing spread online, outrage bubbled."This is absolutely disgusting. We should be boycotting the retailer that fired him," fumed one. “Sorry to read you were fired recording these losers thinking they could just go in and steal. Good for you though," wrote one. Another one had an idea. "This guy was doing the right thing. Please someone give him a much better job. He deserves our thanks and to be rewarded. Our Vets deserve a leg up for their sacrifices."One warm reward, coming right up.A Community Rewards a Brave EmployeePhoto by Julia LarsonSomeone who agrees with that comment is Alexia Gomez. With the motivation to help her cousin, she started a GoFundMe to help cover his legal fees and lost wages.In the end, it was a huge success raising over $19,000, almost double its goal of $10,000. Now that's a lot of laundry detergent money.In a prepared statement, King Soops said firing Burrola is all about employee safety. "We are disappointed by the increased level of crime across retail establishments and the impact these incidents have on our associates and customers. We remain committed to working in partnership with local law enforcement to address this issue, as safety remains a top priority," it read. How a Supermarket Employee Proves That Inaction Is a CrimeTo be fair, it's hard to argue with a company trying to protect its workers. After all, if one of those criminals were armed, Gomez might be raising money for her cousin's funeral costs instead. Yet, Burrola would tell you that the biggest crime would be to sit idly by as criminals run wild. He knows that staying safe puts everyone at risk.It might not always be the safest play, but sometimes displaying courage is the right move. More from Goalcast:Homeless Dad Living in His Car With 2 Kids Is Fired From His Job – Then, Strangers Step in When They Hear His RequestBlack Employee Is Fired After He Stands Up to His Racist Boss – Outraged Co-workers Have the Best ResponseMan Saves a Life After He Notices a Person Recklessly Driving a Car – Instead of Being Rewarded, He Is Fired From His Job
Many things have changed since the 70s -- technology is far ahead of where it was, diplomatic relations have shifted, and new wars have started and ended. The Vietnam War is one of the most haunting events of that decade -- it changed warfare and shifted American culture forever. An entire generation of people were shaped by the experience of fighting the war, or fighting against it and protesting for peace in the streets. Now, few people will remember the 591 prisoners of war -- including the late Senator John McCain -- who were captured and held in Hanoi Hilton prison and finally released in 1973. Then, in May of that year, the Nixon government threw a banquet in their honor. The Biggest Banquet in White House HistoryOn May 24th 1973, 1,600 people gathered to celebrate the freedom of their comrades in arms. The dinner was hosted in a grand tent by the President himself, decorated with sparkling chandeliers and fresh flowers. Icons Sammy Davis Jr. and Bob Hope provided the entertainment that night, and food and drink flowed freely. People were happy to celebrate the end of the war, and even happier to celebrate the release of the prisoners who had suffered so long and fought so bravely for freedom ad democracy. The 50-Year Anniversary Dinner Was Almost IdenticalThe dinner held to commemorate the survivors in 2023 was more like a reenactment than an anniversary. The organizers made sure that every detail mirrored the amazing event 50 years ago -- down to identical centrepieces and the same menu!Many of the 591 prisoners of war were still alive to remember the events of 50 years ago and celebrate their freedom. When President Nixon signed the Paris peace deal to end the Vietnam war on February 12, 1973, his government got to work extracting the prisoners who had been tortured and brutalized. By April, most POWs were home. Survivors Ranged From 75 to 91 Years OldMany of the survivors were able to tell their story, remembering it in vivid detail even 50 years later. Hal Kushner, an army surgeon, was on a mission to deliver medical supplies when his aircraft crashed into the hills of Vietnam. He was severely injured after a machine gun exploded and its bullets hit him -- his arm and collarbone were also broken. Kushner’s co-pilot was also in dire condition, and the crew chief left them alone together as he went to try and get help. Kushner’s co-pilot died after three days, and Kushner was captured.He was held in jungle camps first and then eventually transferred to Hanoi Hilton. Along the way, many fellow prisoners died in Kushner's arms. In total, he was held for 1,973 days. When he was finally free and returned home, he met his son -- who he didn’t even know existed. His wife was in the early stages of pregnancy when Kushner left for the war, unbeknownst to both of them. Conditions Eventually Improved at Hanoi HiltonAs outrage over the capture of prisoners of war grew stateside, the prisoners themselves were bonding and their morale was slowly improving. Their shared trauma was bringing them closer together. “Having roommates who know everything good or bad about you, you can’t pretend. We talked about our guilt, our shame, our anger." Leon "Lee" EllisThe soldiers were able to rebound and live somewhat happily when they returned, and many prisoners, like Captain Leon “Lee” Ellis, credits their emotional closeness with their recovery. “We knew that if we came home bitter, we would still be in handcuffs and leg irons," Ellis added.Celebrate Those Who Survived the WarEven though many survivors were able to live normal and happy lives after the end of the war, they never forgot what they lived through in Vietnam.One soldier, Ken Wallingford, was chained and kept in a tiger cage like an animal. He and six others were kept in the cages for almost a full year. “They put me in this cage by myself. I had to bend down to get into it. I couldn’t stand because it was five feet high.”Ken Wallingford50 years after these prisoners of war were saved, the celebratory banquet is a great reminder to us all to never forget the sacrifices those who fight for democracy have made for us. It is of course important to remember the hard things, the violence and pain. It is also important to celebrate the good things -- resilience, friendship, and bravery embodied by these amazing soldiers. More from Goalcast:WWII Veteran Has Kept a Photograph of a 14-Year-Old in His Pocket for 78 Years – Then His Mystery Girl Showed UpYoung Girl Tells Worried Mom She Talks to a Veteran Every Morning — Their Shared Conversations Are SurprisingVeteran Spends 70 Years Searching for the Lost Love of His Life – At 91, He Finally Finds Her
Two young heroes stepped up in a big way in Oakland, Florida when a fire roared nearby. 10-year-old Isiah Francis and 11-year-old Jeremiah Grimes were minding their business when they saw smoke rising up in their neighborhood. What Two Young Boys Did When They Saw a House on FireUnsplash/ Chris KaridisThey quickly noticed that their neighbor's home was on fire, and rushed inside without a second thought. Navigating through heavy smoke and impending panic, the two heroes safely retrieved a 1-year-old and an 8-month-old from the burning house. It is not as if the two were unafraid of the situation, but they had the remarkable courage to overcome their fear -- the true mark of bravery. "I was really scared because I thought I was going to get burned," Isiah even told a local news outlet in Orlando. "I was nervous because there was so much smoke it was hard for me to see," he added. Despite feeling scared, unable to see, and risking his own wellbeing, Isiah and his friend charged into that burning house to save two toddlers. Forget their age, many in that frightening position might have frozen, or called the appropriate authorities. The quick-thinking to charge directly into the home, however, very well could have made the difference between life and death for the two young children they retrieved. How Two Boys Proved That There Is No Age Limit to Being a HeroTheir selfless act of bravery reverberated throughout the community, becoming a beacon of hope and inspiration. News of their heroism spread, captivating the hearts of people across the country. These two are certainly destined to grow into brave young men. Isiah even said he has dreams of becoming a firefighter some day, and he certainly has more experience than most 11 year olds.The cause of the blaze has not been determined, but it is believed to have started on the stove. It is unclear why the father was unable to get all four of his children out of the home, or why the fire began. However, it is certain that Isiah and Jeremiah saved the day. While, hopefully we don't have to run into a burning home any time soon, we can all draw inspiration from the bravery displayed by these two boys. True heroism doesn't lie in accolades or recognition, but in the sum of decisions like these that come to define us.Isiah and Jeremiah's selfless act will forever serve as a reminder that each of us has the capacity to be a hero in our own unique way.Heroism also isn't reserved for a certain age group, and these two showed why everyone possesses the ability to become a hero in the right circumstance. More from Goalcast:Woman Leaves Her Newborn Baby Girl in a Drop Box – The Firefighter Who Found Her Just Became Her DadHomeless Man Heroically Saves an Entire Family and Their Pets From a Blazing Residential FireMom and Her 2 Kids Are Trapped in an Apartment Fire – One Local Homeless Man Tells Them All to Drop Out of the Window
In a Florida town, a brave 9-year-old girl has become a true hero, leaving us all in awe of her fearless and protective spirit. Journee Nelson's act of courage unfolded outside a supermarket, where she fearlessly fought off a robber and chased him away.How a 9-Year-Old Reacted to a Thief Who Tried to Steal Her Mother’s PursePhoto by Kindel MediaIt was just an ordinary day for Journee and her mom, Danielle Mobley, as they finished their grocery shopping at Sabor Tropical Supermarket. As they headed to their car, an unexpected danger lurked nearby. Surveillance footage captured the heart-pounding moment — a man in a gray hoodie, later identified as Demetrius Jackson, 29, lunged towards Danielle, attempting to steal her purse.In the blink of an eye, Journee sprang into action. Without a second thought, she jumped out of the car and confronted the robber head-on. The courageous young girl landed punch after punch, taking the assailant by surprise. Bystanders rushed to their aid, helping them fend off the attacker.Although the thief managed to escape with Danielle's purse, Journee's quick thinking and bravery didn't go in vain. Thanks to her heroic efforts and the assistance of the police, Demetrius was apprehended just two days later and charged with robbery and battery.Journee's valiant actions did not go unnoticed. The West Palm Beach Police Foundation recognized her courage with a well-deserved medal, certificate, and Target gift card. A touching ceremony celebrated her bravery, and she was commended for her unwavering determination to protect her mom.How One Little Girl Proved That Not All Heroes Wear CapesWhile Journee's actions have inspired admiration and praise, the incident left emotional scars on both her and her mother. Despite the challenging experience, they find solace in knowing that justice has been served."I'm very proud of her. That was her initial reaction," Danielle shared, expressing the pride she felt in her daughter's bravery.Looking ahead, Journee stands at a crossroads, torn between dreams of becoming a police officer or a teacher. Whichever path she chooses, her innate protective nature and boldness will undoubtedly shine through, leaving a positive impact on those around her.Journee's story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and courage that resides within us all, no matter our age. In moments of adversity, it's our response that defines us — the choice to stand up against injustice and protect those we love. As we cheer for this young hero, let us also reflect on the courage we can summon in our own lives, finding inspiration in Journee's unwavering spirit.In a world that can sometimes be unpredictable and challenging, may we all be moved by Journee's example, ready to face whatever comes our way with bravery and love. And just like this fearless 9-year-old, may we discover that within our hearts lies the potential to be heroes in our own unique ways.More from Goalcast:Bike-Riding Domino’s Delivery Guy Helps Cops Catch Thief — Still Manages to Deliver Pizza On TimeMom of Four Has Her Wallet Stolen by a Thief at the Grocery Store—She Confronts the Thief by Herself and Shocks Him With Her Bold Words
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan’s largest state park, is a remote, hilly area dotted with lakes — a favorite spot for hikers, fishermen and campers. Eight-year-old Nante Niemi was there with his family, who was happily participating in all three pastimes. When the group decided to split up, half of them going for firewood and the other half going to fish, Nante decided to go with the group in the woods. After a while, he asked if he could go back to the campsite.It was early afternoon when Nante started walking back to the campsite by himself. That was the last time anyone would see him for nearly 50 hours. How One Little Boy Went Missing in the WoodsPhoto by Felix MittermeierWhen the two groups reunited at the campsite early that evening, they noticed that Nante was missing and immediately started combing the woods themselves. When they couldn’t find him, they called the police.Meanwhile, the eight-year-old boy had wandered over two miles from his campsite and was completely lost in the unfamiliar terrain. But he kept his wits about him and started to devise a plan of action. Nante started by following blue hiking marks on trees but ended up circling the same area over and over. When it started to rain, he took cover under a log.Still, that evening, no help had reached the missing boy. The temperatures plummeted but fortunately stayed above freezing. Nante spotted search helicopters circling overhead, but there was little he could do to attract their attention. An 8-Year-Old’s RealizationPhoto by Brandie RobbinsThat’s when the boy realized that he would have to do something to aid the search and rescue efforts. He stomped his feet in a patch of mud and ran around leaving muddy footprints. In the hilly forest, there were lots of puddles of standing water, but Nante knew he shouldn’t drink it. In order to stay hydrated, he ate snow.Meanwhile, more than 150 search and rescue personnel were combing the area. They covered a 40-square-mile area on foot, in addition to crews searching by air and in the water. The family would later find out that Nante was difficult to find because he kept moving in circles. But it was those muddy footprints that he thought to leave that would eventually lead to his rescue.The Clue That Led to Missing 8-Year-Old’s RescueA volunteer team joined the Michigan State Police to help with the search efforts, and Eli Talisman, a friend of Nante’s, was called in to join them. It was hoped that Nante would call out to a friendly voice or respond to a friendly face. The 18-year-old immediately packed a bag and joined the volunteer team on the ground. They searched for the missing boy in the thick woods, calling out to him and listening for a response. Then they saw the muddy footprints.Colin Gauthier, part of the volunteer group that found Nante, explained, “We had four or five guys there that were looking at these footsteps, and then we heard a sound of some sort. It sounded like a scream, just like a scream, but one of the guys said, ‘Ah, it’s a bird’…we were following these steps in the mud and then, as we were doing that, I heard it again, but this time it was completely clear.”How One Little Boy Used His Wits to Aid in His RescueAs soon as Eli heard it, he jumped into action. “I grabbed my bag that was on the ground and I started sprinting, and I get over this little, tiny hill, and all I see is this little, tiny, white sweatshirt.” Eli looked down to find Nante with a weak smile on his face. He grabbed his young friend up in a bear hug, immensely relieved to have finally found the boy after long hours of searching. Eli laughs as he tells the story of that moment; Nante looked at his friend and asked, "Were you looking for me?"The volunteers got the exhausted child into a carrier pack, and Eli carried him out of the woods. After being checked by medical authorities, Nante was released to his family, safe and sound. Nante’s school district shared the news of the boy’s rescue on its Facebook page.When hearing Nante’s story, it’s easy to forget that this missing boy was only eight years old. He’s in second grade. And yet, miles from his family’s campsite, alone in the woods overnight, he showed remarkable bravery and resourcefulness. Nante kept a cool head throughout the ordeal, making smart decisions when it came to not drinking standing water, sheltering from the rain, and especially, leaving marks for rescuers to find. The experience is something that will likely have a large impact on him, and he can be proud of the part he played in his own rescue.
Last December, an unidentified woman finally escaped a living nightmare thanks to a deadbolt and some kind folks at a New Jersey gas station. Now, others are spreading the word to prove yet again how the kindness of strangers can help to put things right in this world.A Living NightmareYouTube/ Inside EditionJane Doe met a man named James W. Parrillo Jr. in February 2022 at a gas station in New Mexico, according to CBS News. In a report, Doe revealed that Parrillo used the name Brett Parker and asked her to drive him to Arizona. She did, and they started a consensual relationship. Once they got to California, though, things changed.RELATED: How One Victim’s Incredible Act of Bravery Ended a Decade of Horrific KidnappingsIt was there he reportedly physically assaulted her for the first time. Doe wanted to leave, but Parrillo had taken her phone and cards, leaving her unable to contact her family or escape. He kept her by his side as they traveled across the country, and every day she thought of ways to flee.When the couple landed in New Jersey at the end of the year, the woman finally saw her chance.A Daring EscapeThere was a gas station close to where Parrillo had rented a room for them, and Doe noticed there was a deadbolt on the inside of the door. So one day, when he began beating her, she fled.“Parrillo began beating and choking her during an argument inside the residence, which they shared with several other individuals,” the attorney general's office said in a release, as per CBS News. “Parrillo allegedly ceased assaulting the woman when he realized the two were not alone in the house, and she ran from the house with nothing on but shorts and a shirt in the 42-degree weather.”RELATED: After the Capture: Where Is Kidnapping Victim Elizabeth Smart 19 Years After Being Rescued?Doe ran right to the gas station, locked the door, and told someone working there she had been kidnapped for about a year. Security footage shows Parrillo following her and trying to get in but then fleeing on a bike as workers calmed the woman down and called authorities."The lady came running, like barefoot, and she was like, ‘he kidnapped me,'” gas station attendant Jamie Garthaus told an NBC News station. “So, we ran inside and locked the door.”Parrillo was picked up by police not far from there and charged with kidnapping, strangulation, aggravated assault, and criminal restraint.A Terrifying History After Parrillo was arrested, his real background came out. Two other women had previously accused him of kidnapping them for about a year each, but no charges were ever laid. Now, thanks to the kindness of strangers and quick thinking from the woman herself, he can’t hurt anyone else.RELATED: 9-Year-Old Girl and Her Baby Brother Kidnapped at 7-Eleven – She Follows Her Gut and Saves Her Brother’s Life“The defendant allegedly held a woman against her will for nearly a year while traveling with her throughout the country before ending up here in New Jersey, where she was able to escape,” added New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin in a statement.“We are reaching out to law enforcement across jurisdictions to identify other people who may have additional information on the defendant. Our investigation is ongoing, and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure we bring justice to this survivor.”Coming TogetherWhat this woman went through is unimaginable and awful, yet stories like this do happen. Thankfully, the woman's quick-thinking allowed her to escape, but it was also the kindness of those working at the gas station that helped catch this man in the end. Had they ignored her pleas for help or shrugged off what she told them and opened the door, who knows what might have happened?Doing nothing or being complacent sometimes makes you a part of the problem, not the solution, and this story is a gentle reminder of that. So the next time you see someone in need or a situation that doesn’t look right, don’t be afraid to question it, speak out, or follow up to make sure that everything is, indeed, okay.Jane Doe has the gas station attendants to thank for her successful escape that day, and she won’t soon forget them.
Growing up, Jordan Turpin and her twelve brothers and sisters rarely got to see the outside world. Only when their parents left their house in Perris, California were the children able to watch TV- and that is because they would sneakily turn it on. That’s where Jordan saw shows, music videos, and Justin Bieber, who eventually gave her the courage to escape from her abusive parents.“I don’t know where we would be if we didn’t watch Justin Bieber,” Jordan told Diane Sawyer on the 20/20 special “Escape from a House of Horror.”I started realizing that there is a different world out there. I only knew one world and that was like always being there. I was always like, ‘I want to be out there. I want to be like that, being free, not being trapped.’Jordan TurpinAn unbelievable act of braveryDavid and Louise Turpin- who pled guilty to fourteen counts of torture and imprisonment- beat, starved, and caged their children while denying them access to the outside world. In January of 2018, at just 17 years old, Jordan managed to escape and call 911.I was telling them everything. We don’t go to school. We live in filth. We starve. And all the stuff. Jordan to Diane Sawyer"The only word I know to call it is 'hell,'" said Jennifer Turpin, reflecting on the trauma of her childhood.The children's rescueWhen officers arrived at the house, they found garbage, excrement, and moldy food all around the house. Some of the children, who were aged two to 29, were even shackled to their beds. After visiting the hospital, it was discovered that some had developed physical illnesses such as heart problems due to their prolonged malnourishment and physical abuse.Jordan, now 21, and her sister Jennifer, 33, opened up about the abuse for the first time in the 20/20 special which aired on Friday, November 19th. “At first I couldn’t watch it, but then when I finally watched it, because I wanted to see it, I had to, like, pause in a lot of parts because it was really hard for me to watch it,” Jordan told Good Morning America. “It brought back a lot of stuff, and when I saw the camera film of Mother and Father, it- it was very, like, scary, like my heart dropped to my stomach.”Though reliving the trauma in the interview was difficult, Turpin is happy she was able to tell their story.I’m just glad that it’s out there so people can see it and they can hopefully make a good difference, and we can make a change and people know that they have a voice and they can speak up if something’s not right.Jordan TurpinGetting through it as a familyJordan’s courage, with the help of a little inspiration from Justin Bieber, saved her and her siblings from their abusive parents. The children’s resilience helped them survive a nightmare, and Jordan’s bravery and dedication to her siblings freed them of it. Jordan shows us that it is possible to overcome even the most monstrous of obstacles when you step up and speak up. When faced with extreme adversity, you must employ the traits we all have but some rarely access: strength and determination. That's how you can set yourself free.More uplifting storiesTeen Steps In After Nobody Stopped To Help Old Man In Wheelchair Escape an Incoming TornadoPassengers Stunned At Stranger's Response To Anxious Elderly Woman On FlightFallen Sheriff's Son Loses Auction For Father's Old Car -- Then The Most Unexpected Thing HappensAttentive Dad Monitors 15-Year-Old Daughter’s Social Media And Is Shocked- Ends Up Saving Her From TraffickersHeroes come in all sizesA moment of courage can drastically change a life.
