A 9-year-old is being hailed as a hero after a robber punched her mother in the face after a robber tried to steal her purse.
Journee Nelson and her mom, Danielle Mobley, were running errands in West Palm Beach on November 2 when they were attacked outside Sabor Tropical Supermarket.
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Surveillance footage reveals a man lunging toward Mobley as the two return to their parked car. And without skipping a beat, the small but mighty Journee quickly runs to her mother and begins hitting the thief as he attempts to steal the woman’s purse.
“I fought back,” the girl told 7 News Miami. “I had to save my mom.”
Chief Frank Adderley said during a press conference Thursday that while he wouldn’t recommend confronting criminals, he understood why the girl did what she did in the moment.
“I bet he was shocked when she hit him right on the face,” Adderly told reporters. “You definitely could tell on the video tape he was not expecting that. Her actions were perfect timing in this particular situation. I think she hit him pretty hard.”
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Police marked the little girl’s bravery during the daytime robbery with a certificate of bravery and Target gift card. Her mom informed reporters how Journee quickly took action when the robber knocked her to the ground. The police department also posted to their Facebook group, praising the little girl’s actions.
“Chief Adderley honored a 9-year old child today for bravery as she ran to her mother’s defense to fend off a brazen robber. An #arrest was swiftly made in this case. The West Palm Beach Police Foundation presented the child with a token of appreciation.”
“I’m very proud of her, that [helping] was her initial reaction,” Mobley said. “I wish things could be a little different because she is still dealing with this mentally.” She also said Journee chased the man down the block as he ran off with her purse.
“She actually jumped up and chased him four houses down the block with me chasing her, calling her back,” her mom said.
The purse contained a cell phone, gum, bank cards, a Coach wallet and $40, per an arrest affidavit. Police later arrested and charged Demetrius Jackson, 29, with robbery and battery two days after the incident.
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