Amanda Desley and her husband, Benny Correa, were returning from dinner with their five children. It looked like an ordinary, quiet evening, but then the night took a shocking turn.
While driving home, the couple noticed something happening inside the car. Just hours ago, they heard about the Amber Alarm from an 11-year-old girl named Charlotte Moccia, who had been kidnapped on her way home from school.
The couple realized that the girl was being held inside the car. Without a moment’s hesitation, they entered a high-speed chase to save the girl. Now they have been praised by the police for their brave work.
ABC News reported that Charlotte got off the school bus and was heading home when a man grabbed her and forced her into his car, kicking her and screaming.
An Amber Alert was issued which Amanda and Penny saw and a few hours later found themselves crossing lanes with a blue Honda that had distinct rims similar to the description in the alert.
The pair gave chase and found themselves following a car traveling at 100mph with red lights.
“Come on,” Amanda says when you see someone’s life in danger.
But she added that her husband slowed down and let cars pass at a red light before continuing to chase her. She said they would not put their children’s lives in danger.
Amanda recorded the chase and called 911 after getting close enough to read the car’s license plate. Police took over and were able to arrest the suspect and Charlotte is now safely back home with her family.
The Charlotte family thanked everyone involved in the safe return of their daughter in a statement released by Springfield police.
“In particular, we would like to thank Amanda Desley and her husband for their vigilance and courage in putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure he was not out of their sight.”
Police praised the couple’s behavior, without which Charlotte might not have been found.
“It was a life or death situation for this little girl. Thank you to the public for our help, and we’ve come to a very good conclusion,” said Springfield Police Commissioner Sherrill Capbrod.
Watch an interview with the heroic couple in the clip below.
