One woman used her wits and the help of an alert receptionist to escape an abusive hell, and it's all captured on tape.
Trapped
It had been two days of terror for 28-year-old Carolyn Reichle of Volusia County, Florida.
According to police, she'd been abused, threatened and physically prevented from leaving her home by her boyfriend, 39-year old Jeremy Floyd. At one point, Reichle tried unsuccessfully to take the gun from him, causing the weapon to go off twice.
Her desperate idea
After spending an entire day in bed with a head injury, Reichle had an idea about how she could escape her abuser. She told Floyd that their dog was ill and needed to be taken to the DeLand Animal Hospital.
Miraculously, he agreed, but insisted on going with her. The entire ride, he held her at gunpoint, threatening her and her family.
CCTV footage shows Reichle and Floyd entering the vet's lobby along with their "sick" dog. With her boyfriend walking ahead, Reichle saw an opportunity and discretely slipped the receptionist a note.
"Call the cops. My boyfriend is threatening me. He has a gun. Please don't let him know."
- Carolyn Reichle's note
Once she read the note, the receptionist waited until the couple was out of sight and immediately called the police.
Not long after, four officers entered the animal hospital. They arrested Floyd and seized the loaded gun hidden in his waistband.
Meanwhile, Reichle was taken to an area hospital and treated for a head injury, a black eye and bruised arms.
Recognize the signs
Unfortunately, Floyd's reign of terror continued, even while imprisoned. In an update posted by police, he tried to contact Reichle over 40 times while awaiting trial. He then used a fellow inmate's phone to leave her a voicemail.
"I understand you're upset with me. I'm sorry, I know you're upset with me and I apologize about what I did to you. I'll make it up to you. I apologize and love you."
- Jeremy Floyd's voice message to Carolyn Reichle
Domestic abuse is real, terrifying, and on the rise.
The warning signs aren't limited to bruises and screams. It might be a disturbing call to Disney, a subtle sign to a locksmith, or even a silent scream at a McDonald's drive thru.
While Carolyn Reichle's clever ruse might have arguably saved her life, it also takes people like the receptionist to pick up on red flags and lend a helping hand.
More uplifting stories:
- Neighbors Stay Up All Night To Protect Asian Family From Recurring Racist Attacks
- Boy, 7, Saves 20-Year-Old Sister From Drowning With An Instinctive Yet Critical Move
- Anti-Timeout Mom Reveals Game-Changing Parenting Tip In Viral Tik Tok Post
- 8-Year-Old Boy Rescues Sister From Moving Car Driven By Volatile Kidnapper
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.