In a small town in Michigan, on January 16, 2013, an ordinary day for the Persyn family turned into a harrowing story of bravery and resilience. Fourteen-year-old James Persyn III takes care of his younger siblings, Acelin, 11, and Angus, 2, at their home.
Their father, James Persyn Jr., stepped out to pick up his fiancée from work, leaving James III in charge. Little did they know that this ordinary evening would soon turn into a life-threatening ordeal that would test their courage and strength.
When James III. was going about his routine in his bedroom, the calm of the evening was broken by the frantic sounds of someone banging urgently on their front door. A distressed woman’s chilling cry for help echoed through the house, signaling impending danger.
To the young teenager, the urgency and desperation in the woman’s voice was undeniable. Her desperate plea to be let in carried a terrifying weight, as if her life depended on it. James III rushed to the door without hesitation and a terrifying scene unfolded before him.
A restless evening
It sounded like the woman was desperately trying to get in, James recalled as he recounted the terrifying moment. He stated that “her voice was like she was going to die if I didn’t open that door”.
The terrified woman was reported to have screamed, “Let me in! Let me in!” She was badly injured and rushed inside as soon as James opened the door.
Jacob Persyn III. It currently airs on FOX66 and NBC25. | Source: youtube.com/Mid-Michigan
The victim was kidnapped and s*xually assaulted by Eric Ramsey, a former inmate. She ran into the kitchen and hid there. James recalled:
“He says, ‘We have to hide!'” Someone recently kidnapped me and is trying to murder me.
James could see a car slowly approaching the house through the window. Remembering his father’s instructions on what to do in case of an emergency, the young man moved everyone into one of the bathrooms with a bathtub that had no windows and was completely hidden.
Acelin Persyn and James Persyn Ill. | Source: youtube.com/Mid-Michigan currently airs on NBC25 and FOX66
He then took out his hunting knife and told 11-year-old Acelin to call the police. Ramsey repeatedly pounded on the door and threatened to kill them if they did not let him inside.
Meanwhile, James called his father, who frantically rushed to make sure his children were safe. By then, Ramsey had only escaped after trying to set fire to the house with a match and gasoline, which he smeared all over the bottom.
The father arrived home to find his house on fire at the forward base, which he put out with his feet and body. After failing to unlock the locked door, he began breaking windows. He remembered:
“I was yelling at my kids. I was calling for intruders.”
When the sheriff’s deputy got to the house, he found the father. He pulled out his gun, ready to shoot, thinking the father was an intruder, but the father shouted that he was the parent.
At this point, the children left the restroom after seeing the police.
James Persyn III, accompanied by his sister Acelin Persyn, shakes hands with County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewsk. YouTube.com/Mid-Michigan currently airs on FOX66 and NBC25.
After questioning the woman and children police officers, thee taken to a medical facility. Father recalled:
“My daughter was acting really crazy. You could tell my son was scared and upset but he handled it really well.”
The family remained restless throughout the night despite the fact that everyone survived the ordeal and Ramsey was still at large. Law enforcement called early that morning to report that an ex-convict had been shot and died.\
Leo Mioduszewsk, County Sheriff. | Source: youtube.com/Mid-Michigan currently airs on NBC25 and FOX66
Glory to the heroes
James was praised by people who called him a hero when he arrived at school the next day. However, the young child and his father do not always agree with this term.
The father went on to say that while they never refer to him as a “hero”, they are always proud of his bravery and composure in such desperate circumstances.
Following the traumatic incident, James and his younger sister Acelin also received a Life Saving Award from Isabella County.
Leo Mioduszewski, the county sheriff who presented the awards, said:
“In this case, there’s no doubt that those little kids deserved it in the end. There’s no way the victim would have survived that night if she hadn’t opened that door.”
A shocking incident in Michigan showed the extraordinary bravery and quick thinking of 14-year-old James Persyn III when faced with a terrifying situation. His courageous actions in protecting his siblings and helping a woman in need earned him universal acclaim and many hailed him as a hero.
The profound impact of that traumatic evening resonated beyond the initial shock. James’ ability to remain composed and take decisive action in a life-threatening scenario was nothing short of remarkable. His father, while hesitant to call his son a “hero”, expressed immense pride in James’ bravery and composure during such a harrowing event.
Isabella County authorities have recognized the incredible bravery shown by James and his sister Acelin and presented them with a lifesaving award. Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski praised the siblings for their key role in ensuring the woman’s survival, acknowledging that without their intervention the outcome could have been tragically different.
The resilience and quick action of these young individuals in the face of danger is a testament to their courage and strength. Their selfless response in a crisis situation underscored the importance of staying calm and acting quickly to help those in need.
Despite the trauma experienced, bravery and solidarity prevailed in the family, and their actions will remain in memory as a shining example of courage in the most demanding conditions.