When a London resident saw a man walking suspiciously with a young girl, she immediately felt that something was wrong. Instead of looking the other way, she put her own safety on the line to save a child who was about to get abducted.
The woman named Ashanti, but is known as @shansdeya on Twitter, says her little sister, Zian, alerted her to the abduction saying "something was not right."
After Zian’s alert, Ashanti, who was in the Mitcham area in south-west London, noticed the man walking suspiciously with a young girl.
Ashanti trusted her instincts and proceeded to follow the strange man, recording him on video until he finally let the poor young girl go. Soon after, police arrested a man named Kadian Nelson in nearby Tooting, whom they believe is the attempted kidnapper.
Police have Ashanti to thank for tracking down the man, since it was her now-viral video that helped them. In the video, the kidnapper can clearly be seen walking with the little girl, with his hand covering her mouth.
In the video, Ashanti follows the man saying "Let her go" and asking "What are you doing with her?"
He replies with, "This is my sister, this is man's family."
So what are you doing in the corner with her? Why are you stalking, man?
Ashanti
Ashanti didn't let him get away. She knew she was putting herself at risk, but she couldn’t let him get away with the girl. It was her continued pressure that saved her life. The kidnapper finally let the girl go and ran away.
Right after, the young girl, terrified, turned to Ashanti and said, "Thank you. Thank you."
I wish I could thank you all individually, I'm not a hero Im just glad I had the courage to follow through.
Ashanti on Twitter
Ashanti went on to praise her little sister, who first put out the alert on the strange man.
"My little sister is the real hero here, she's 11 years old and was able to notice that something was not right and called me straight away," she added. "Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to save that little girl."
Emma Stevenson has started a Just Giving campaign to reward Ashanti and Zian for
their incredible bravery.
"Let's get these girls a reward from our community as a massive thank you," Stevenson wrote on the campaign site. "Who knows what else that poor girl would of gone through it wasn't for the quick thinking and actions of Zian?"
Ashanti and her sister displayed incredible bravery in their efforts to make sure the little girl would not meet a terrible fate. All it takes is to step up, when something doesn't feel right, especially when it involves our most vulnerable children.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.