Brave Sanitation Workers Intercept Kidnapper To Save 10-Year-Old Girl's Life
Two Louisiana sanitation workers are being called heroes for rescuing a young girl and making sure her abductor couldn't escape.
An amber alert
According to ABC News, 10-year-old Jalisa Lasalle had gone missing for an hour on Sunday and New Iberia police believed she was in "imminent danger." So, they issued an Amber alert in the middle of the night that indicated Lasalle was last seen getting into a 2012 Nissan Altima.
On Monday morning, Pelican Waste & Debris sanitation workers Dion Merrick and Brandon Antoine happened to come across that same vehicle parked in the middle of a field. They knew something was up.
"Something told me," Merrick said in a video posted to Facebook Live. "I said, what's that car doing off in the field like that?"
They blocked the suspect in
After spotting the vehicle, the two men acted straight away. They pulled their car up in front of the suspect's vehicle, making sure he couldn't escape.
"I blocked the truck in, [making] sure he couldn’t get out," Merrick said.
"I just saved that little girl's life bro... they got him now."
Merrick added that he felt particularly worried for Lasalle as he has a daughter of his own.
"People act like they see stuff but they don't want to say nothing," he said to the camera. "But she's safe now. Thank God man, because I got a little girl. I'm on my job doing what I got to do."
Credited for their heroism
The two men's boss, Pelican CEO Roddie Matherne, thanked his employees and pointed out how hard sanitation workers have been working during the pandemic.
"We couldn’t be prouder of Dion and Brandon," Matherne said in an email to ABC News. "In fact, All of our Pelican Waste team have been heroically working without fail during the pandemic quietly, professionally, and consistently serving the communities where we collect garbage & debris. They often respond in other ways while on the road. This was an exceptional thing that may very well have saved a little girl’s [life]."
Suspect in custody
As for the suspect, his name is Michael Sereal, 33, and he was charged with aggravated kidnapping of a child and failure to register as a sex offender (he'd been convicted in 2016 for carnal knowledge of a juvenile, meaning he was over 18 and had sexual relations with someone between 13 and 17, with their consent).
Louisiana State Police said on Facebook that medical personnel evaluated the girl as soon as she was rescued.
Anyone can be a hero
These two sanitation workers just proved why Amber alerts exist. Sure, police can do their best to search for a suspect, but they need the help of the public in instances like these.
In other words, you don't need a badge to be a hero.
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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.