'Smart girl': 8-year-old Charley Jorgensen lauded for swift response as she saved sister during carjacking

OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN: 8-year-old Charley has been hailed as a 'smart girl' for saving herself and her baby sister during a carjacking incident.

The terrifying event unfolded on a Sunday afternoon at a Kwik Trip carwash in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, about 12 miles south of Milwaukee.

Adam Jorgenson, the father of the two girls, was reportedly getting his SUV washed when an unidentified individual seized the opportunity to steal the vehicle, per NBC News.

Unbeknownst to the carjacker, Charley and her 2-year-old sister Autumn were still inside the vehicle.

Despite the perilous situation, Charley managed not only to ensure her and her sister's safety but also had the presence of mind to leave a voicemail for their mother, alerting her about the incident. 

How did Charley's quick thinking led to rescue?

While their father was busy polishing their SUV post a car wash near South Milwaukee, Charley and her 2-year-old sister Autumn Jorgenson were left waiting.

Unexpectedly, an unknown individual seized the opportunity, jumped into the running vehicle, and swiftly drove out of the parking lot. 

"That guy was trying to steal our car, I should do something," the eight year old shared with WTMJ.

"I should try to kick him or defend myself and Autumn. But then, I was like, I should stay in my seat and do nothing," she continued. 

"Stay here, do the questions but when I realized that dad had the key, I was like, he can't do anything without the key."

Charley' voicemail for mom

Upon realizing that the girls didn't have the keys he demanded, the stranger ordered Charley to exit the vehicle.

However, she stood her ground, refusing to abandon her younger sister.

The man eventually abandoned the car about a mile away.

Seizing this opportunity, the quick-witted 8-year-old reached for the cell phone her father had inadvertently left in the front seat and left a frantic voicemail for her mother.

"Mom," Charley's voice echoes, choked with sobs."I need you! We lost Dad!"

In the background of the voicemail, Autumn can be heard, her words "Where go dada?" indicating her awareness of the perilous situation she and her sister had just encountered.

Police arrested three men in relation to the horrifying incident

Adam Jorgenson, the girls' father, was already on a call with 911 dispatchers while his wife was attempting to locate his iPhone.

The phone's tracking feature managed to pinpoint the girls' exact location, just a few minutes away from the car wash.

The police were able to recover the SUV and reunite the girls with their father at the crime scene.

Jorgenson, a father of two, stated that he was merely an "arm's length" away from the running car when the thieves struck.

Two men in a nearby parked purple Buick Encore asked Jorgenson for directions, seemingly in an attempt to distract him while their accomplice stealthily got into the SUV.

Both vehicles quickly fled the scene, with Jorgenson yelling out that there were children inside.

According to their father, Charley's decision to stay calm and remain in the car may have been the key factor that saved both her and her sister's lives.

The police have later arrested three individuals — aged 21, 20, and 17. The investigation into the carjacking is ongoing.

8-year-old Charley has been called 'smart'

People on social media have been hailing the small girl whose quick thinking has led to the rescue of her sister. 

"God bless her she is a smart girl," said a user on Facebook. 

Another person wrote, "Oh my such a smart girl to call her mom. You know that whole family is shook up. God Blessed them."

"Thank God, you have the smartest children catch them effort lock them up forever," added another. 

"What a nightmare! Thank God those children are safe," mentioned another.

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