SHEPHERD -- The Central Michigan University female student who, police say, was kidnapped and sexually assaulted Wednesday night hid in the bathtub of a home where a 14-year-old boy and his 11-year-old sister sheltered her.
"I was definitely scared opening the door and when we were in the bathroom,” James Persyn said. Persyn gave his phone to the victim to dial 9-1-1.
The suspect, 30-year-old Eric Lee Ramsey of Mt. Pleasant, in the meantime was outside setting the porch on fire before he fled the scene.
The children's father arrived in time to put the fire out as police got to the scene.
“I'm very proud of my children, very,” Jim Persyn told reporters Thursday.
Isabella County authorities said Ramsey kidnapped the victim in the parking lot of CMU’s student activity center around 9:30 p.m., drove her to a home on S. Crawford Rd. where he sexually assaulted her.
While fleeing police, Ramsey drove his car into a state police cruiser. He later stole a sanitation truck and hit another police car before they eventually shot him dead.
Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said, "He's had a very violent past, had a lot of contact with law enforcement over a period of many years."
Authorities applauded the female student for her quick actions.
They said she is now safe with her family.
"Had the victim not jumped out of the car, she would not be alive right now, there's no question about it,” Mioduszewski said.
CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said, "I just really admire her."
James Persyn and his sister, Acelin, said they followed their guts when they let the student take shelter in their home.
“She was saying thank you and I was saying I'm glad that you’re ok,” Acelin said.
And even under extreme distress, smart instincts kicked in and kept everyone safe.
Ilse Lujan-Hayes contributed to this report.
