Missing 10-Year-Old Girl Rescued in Osage County After High-Speed Chase; Suspected Abductor Dies by Suicide
OSAGE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA — A terrifying ordeal came to a dramatic and ultimately tragic conclusion Saturday night after a 10-year-old girl reported missing in the rural Webb City community was safely recovered following an intense, multi-agency search effort and a high-speed police pursuit. Authorities have identified the suspected abductor as 51-year-old Jimmy Allison Schimmeles Jr., of Shidler, Oklahoma, who was killed after a high-speed chase with law enforcement.
The sequence of events began late Saturday evening when the Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a frantic 911 call reporting that a young girl had gone missing under suspicious circumstances. She had last been seen playing outside near her home in Webb City, a small rural town in the northeast portion of Osage County.
Within minutes, deputies from the Osage County Sheriff’s Office initiated a countywide Amber Alert and began combing the area with the assistance of local fire departments, neighboring law enforcement agencies, and volunteers. The urgency of the situation quickly escalated as investigators found evidence indicating that the girl may have been forcibly taken from the area.
A description of the suspect’s vehicle—a late-model silver Dodge pickup truck—was released to the public, and patrol units were dispatched to surrounding roadways and major exits. Law enforcement credit this rapid public alert system with helping a sharp-eyed state trooper from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) spot the vehicle on Highway 60 near Ponca City, over 40 miles from the abduction site.
When the trooper attempted to pull the vehicle over, Schimmeles allegedly refused to stop, leading to a high-speed pursuit that spanned multiple counties. During the chase, speeds exceeded 100 mph, with the suspect recklessly weaving through traffic, ignoring stop signs, and endangering both the child and other motorists.
Law enforcement eventually deployed spike strips near the Kay County line, which successfully disabled the vehicle’s tires. The chase came to a dramatic end when the truck crashed into a ditch off a remote stretch of County Road 3440. Officers swarmed the vehicle and found the young girl inside, terrified but unharmed.
Jimmy Allison Schimmeles Jr. was discovered in the driver’s seat with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Authorities say the child was quickly removed from the vehicle and transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation. She was later reunited with her family, physically safe though emotionally shaken.
A Known Threat
Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden confirmed during a Sunday morning press briefing that Schimmeles was known to law enforcement and had a history of criminal offenses, including prior arrests for kidnapping, domestic abuse, and possession of firearms by a felon. It is still unclear how he came into contact with the victim or if there was any prior relationship between them.
“We are thankful beyond words that this child is alive and safe,” said Sheriff Virden. “This was a rapidly evolving and extremely dangerous situation, but thanks to the swift cooperation between multiple agencies, a tragedy was averted.”
The Osage County Sheriff’s Office is now working with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and the FBI to review the full timeline of events and determine how Schimmeles was able to abduct the child and elude detection for several hours.
Community Relief and Gratitude
News of the girl’s safe recovery brought immense relief to the tight-knit Webb City community. Dozens gathered at a local church Saturday night, praying and waiting anxiously for updates as helicopters circled overhead and officers canvassed the area.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Marlene Taylor, a neighbor who helped with the initial search. “We are just so grateful she was found and brought home.”
Community leaders praised the teamwork between agencies, including Osage County deputies, the OHP, local police departments, and tribal law enforcement.
“Situations like this test the strength and readiness of a community,” said District Attorney Mike Fisher. “Tonight, I’m proud of our officers, proud of our community, and most of all, thankful for this child’s safe return.”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to piece together Schimmeles’ movements in the days and hours leading up to the abduction. A search of his vehicle uncovered firearms, rope, duct tape, and other items suggesting premeditation. The investigation is now focused on determining whether he acted alone and whether there may have been prior incidents involving other victims.
Sheriff Virden noted that counseling and victim services are being made available to the child and her family as they begin the difficult process of healing from this traumatic experience.
A Narrow Escape, A Reminder for Vigilance
While the immediate danger has passed, officials are reminding families to remain vigilant, particularly in rural areas where children may play unsupervised. The Sheriff’s Office encourages all residents to report suspicious behavior and take advantage of available child safety programs.
“This could have ended in unimaginable heartbreak,” Sheriff Virden said. “Instead, we have a reason to be grateful. But we also have a duty to learn from it and do everything in our power to prevent it from ever happening again.”
The Osage County community continues to rally around the family, offering prayers, support, and an outpouring of love for a little girl whose bravery and strength have touched hearts across the region