How A Kidnapping Survivor Who Escaped From A Car Trunk Is Saving Lives
One woman used her terrifying car experience to increase safety for children worldwide.
Uninvited visitors
Janette Fennell and her husband Greig were returning from an evening out with friends with their nine month old son Alex asleep in the back seat.
As they exited their vehicle, two armed intruders wearing ski masks emerged, forcing them into the trunk of their Lexus. The intruders got into the car and peeled off.
Unbeknownst to the Fennells, their son was alone in the front foyer.
As Fennell told The Hustle, things felt bleak trapped in the trunk.
"I remember thinking, ‘This is it — this is how it’s going to end."
- Janette Fennell
An hour later, the car came to a stop. The perpetrators took the couple's money, jewelry and bank cards then slammed the trunk shut as they ran away.
Then, through what Fennell called "divine intervention'," the couple managed to pry a strip of metal from under the carpet.
“Greig reached over my body, found this little cable, and pulled it,” she recalls. “The trunk went bink and opened up.”
The couple immediately called 9-1-1 and rushed home, where they thankfully found their son unharmed.
On a mission
Although her life gradually went back to normal, Fennell kept thinking about how easily her trunk trauma could happen to somebody else.
"I got to the point of being angry. I started to think, ‘This is ridiculous. Why is there no way to escape a car trunk?’"
- Janette Fennell
And so, in the months that followed, Fennell went on a one-woman mission to make emergency release latches mandatory for all vehicles.
She wrote letters to all major car manufacturers but received no reply.
Fennell then sifted through thousands of news articles and court transcripts (This was B.G, Before Google) to get more data on "non-traffic vehicle accidents".
She uncovered hundreds of deaths from those trapped in car trunks, the majority of whom were children playing or kidnapping victims.
However, the biggest surprise was discovering that the automobile industry was aware of the problem but turned a blind eye because of profits.
"It had been brushed off by the auto industry for years. They just didn’t think it was worth the cost."
- Janette Fennell
Pop the TRUNC
To ramp up her efforts, Fennell launched the Trunk Releases Urgently Needed Coalition, or TRUNC.
Her efforts got the attention of state representatives. Ultimately, despite bellyaching from Big Auto, a bill was passed requiring that all new cars include an emergency trunk release.
Be the change
Fennell has since become nothing less than a car safety pioneer.
She's created Kids and Cars, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness around children and vehicle safety. You can thank them for safety innovations such as rearview cameras and seatbelt reminders for backseat passengers.
It all started when Janette Fennell decided to not accept the status quo, and do everything possible to make the world a safer place.
"If you look at any safety feature in your vehicle, just know there is somebody who fought and fought and fought to make sure that was there."
- Janette Fennell
The next time you notice a need for a change, remember that no one will make a bigger impact than you.
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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.