In a chilling incident that unfolded in Wisconsin, a 9-year-old girl named Charley Jorgenson showcased remarkable bravery and quick thinking as she saved herself and her 2-year-old sister, Autumn, from potential danger. The incident occurred when their father’s car was stolen by a carjacker while the two girls were seated in the backseat.
Charley and Autumn were patiently waiting for their father to finish buffing their SUV after a visit to a car wash near South Milwaukee. Little did they know that their lives were about to take a terrifying turn. A stranger suddenly jumped into the running car and sped out of the parking lot, leaving the young girls in a state of shock and confusion.
However, Charley’s presence of mind kicked in immediately. She realized that she needed to act to protect herself and her sister. Initially considering kicking the carjacker or defending herself, she ultimately decided to stay put and not risk any harm to both herself and Autumn. She knew that the carjacker couldn’t do anything without the key, which her father possessed.
The carjacker demanded the keys from the girls, but upon realizing that they didn’t have them, he ordered Charley to get out of the car. Despite the stranger’s threats, Charley refused to leave her vulnerable sister behind. Frustrated, the carjacker abandoned the car about a mile away from the scene, leaving the girls unharmed but frightened.
In a stroke of brilliance, Charley dove for her father’s cell phone, which he had left in the front seat. She quickly dialed her mother’s number and left a desperate voicemail, sobbing and pleading for help. Autumn, too young to fully understand the gravity of the situation, innocently questioned where their father had gone.
Fortuitously, their father, Adam Jorgenson, was on the phone with 911 dispatchers at the time, providing crucial information about the incident. Meanwhile, his wife worked to track down his iPhone, which accurately pinpointed the girls’ location just minutes away from the car wash. The police swiftly recovered the stolen SUV, reuniting the girls with their relieved father.
Adam Jorgenson expressed his overwhelming emotions upon being reunited with his daughters, describing how he ran as fast as he could out of the police car to embrace them. He emphasized his pride in Charley’s self-sufficiency and her ability to think beyond herself in a crisis. By making the decision to stay inside the car and protect her sister, Charley potentially saved both their lives.
The carjacking incident has resulted in the arrest of three men, aged 21, 20, and 17, who were connected to the brazen theft. The Oak Creek Police Department is still investigating the crime, and felony charges are pending against the perpetrators.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of teaching children basic safety measures and empowering them to think critically in potentially dangerous situations. Charley’s quick thinking and bravery should inspire us all to be vigilant and prepared, even in unexpected circumstances.
