James Persyn III, who was just 14 years old when he performed an incredible act for a woman in need, was watching over his younger siblings when he heard a tremendous banging on the front door. His father left him at home with his 11-year-old sister Acelin Persyn and his 2-year-old brother Angus Persyn as he drove to his fiancée’s workplace, J&M Produce and Nursery, to transport her home.

Recalling that night in 2013, James stated that the woman was screaming “Let me in! Let me in!” and was frantic to enter his home. She ran inside when James opened the door, and he saw that she was gravely injured. Eric Ramsey, an ex-convict, kidnapped and sexually abused the woman. She was so terrified that she ran to the kitchen and hid.

“She’s like, ‘We have to hide!'” Someone out there just kidnapped me and is attempting to kill me,'” James recalled. When James peered outside, he spotted an automobile approaching his house. Recalling his father’s advice in an emergency, he hid his siblings and the woman in the bathtub of one of the bathrooms, which was completely hidden due to the lack of windows.

James then told his sister to dial 911 while grabbing his hunting knife. When the convict arrived at the house, he began beating on the door and threatening to kill everyone if they would not let him in. Meanwhile, James called his father and informed him that they were in danger. The father was in a mad dash to ensure his children’s safety.

Ramsey, who was not allowed inside at this point, attempted to set fire to the house with matches by putting gasoline around it. When the father came, he saw flames at the front base of the home but was able to put them out with his feet and body. He then attempted to open the door, but was unable to do so, so he began breaking the windows in order to reach his children.

When police arrived, they thought the father was the intruder, and when the sheriff pointed a revolver at him, he explained that he was the father, and he was attempting to get his children to safety. When the kids realized the cops were there, they ran out of the lavatory.Officers questioned both the children and the woman before transporting her to the hospital for medical treatment.

“My daughter was quite hysterical,” the children’s father claimed of the incident. My youngster was clearly disturbed and scared, but he handled it admirably.” The night was hectic, especially since Ramsey was still on the run. Fortunately, the family learned the next morning that the ex-convict had been apprehended and fatally shot.

When word of James’ bravery spread, his classmates and the entire neighborhood celebrated him as a hero, but he maintained that he merely done what he thought was right. Following the horrific incident, Isabella County also gave James and his younger sister Acelin with lifesaving awards.

“There’s no doubt in this case that those young children ended up earning that,” said County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski, who handed the awards. That victim would not have survived that night if they hadn’t opened that door.”