BREAKING: Missing 10-Year-Old Osage County Girl Found Safe After High-Speed Chase Ends in Suspect’s Death
OSAGE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA — A 10-year-old girl who was reported missing Saturday evening in the remote Webb City area of Osage County has been safely recovered following a tense multi-agency operation that culminated in a high-speed police pursuit and the death of the suspected abductor.
Authorities have identified the deceased suspect as 51-year-old Jimmy Allison Schimmeles Jr., a resident of Shidler, Oklahoma. The case has sent shockwaves through the close-knit rural community, prompting widespread concern for the child’s safety and a massive overnight search effort.
Timeline of Events
According to the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, the child was reported missing around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 28. Family members told investigators that she had last been seen playing outside her home in the Webb City community, located in a secluded area of northern Osage County. After she failed to return inside, a search was initiated, and law enforcement was called in.
As darkness fell, deputies launched an immediate search operation with assistance from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, local fire departments, and volunteer rescue teams. Drones and K-9 units were deployed, and a statewide Amber Alert was prepared for activation.
Break in the Case
The case took a dramatic turn just after midnight when investigators received a tip from a witness who reported seeing a suspicious vehicle speeding away from the area around the time the child disappeared. Law enforcement agencies across northern Oklahoma were alerted to be on the lookout for a white pickup truck matching the description given.
Around 3:15 a.m., a patrol unit from the Kay County Sheriff’s Office spotted a vehicle matching the alert near the town of Tonkawa. When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver — later identified as Schimmeles — sped away, leading authorities on a dangerous high-speed chase spanning multiple counties.
During the pursuit, authorities noted erratic and reckless driving behavior. According to law enforcement radio traffic, the suspect reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, weaving through rural roads and endangering lives.
The chase ultimately came to a violent end when the suspect’s vehicle crashed off State Highway 60, flipping several times before coming to a rest in a ditch near Burbank. When officers approached the vehicle, they found the suspect unresponsive and severely injured. Emergency medical personnel pronounced Jimmy Schimmeles Jr. dead at the scene.
Miraculously, the 10-year-old girl was located alive in the vehicle. Although visibly shaken and suffering minor injuries, she was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Doctors confirmed that she is expected to make a full physical recovery.
A Community’s Collective Relief
The girl’s family, who had spent the night in anguish not knowing if she would be found alive, expressed overwhelming gratitude to the first responders and law enforcement officers involved in the operation. “God answered our prayers,” said the girl’s mother in a brief statement. “We thank every single officer who didn’t stop searching for her.”
Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden also spoke to reporters on Sunday morning. “This could’ve ended much worse, and we’re just grateful she’s alive and safe,” he said. “Our teams worked through the night, and everyone involved showed extraordinary commitment to bringing her home.”
Suspect’s Background Under Investigation
Authorities are now working to piece together how Schimmeles, who had no known relation to the girl, came into contact with her. Preliminary background checks indicate that Schimmeles had a lengthy criminal record, including prior charges of assault and unlawful possession of firearms, but no current warrants.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has joined the case to conduct a full forensic examination of the crash scene, the suspect’s vehicle, and digital devices found in his possession. Investigators say they are not ruling out the possibility of premeditated intent and are urging anyone with information about Schimmeles or his movements in the days leading up to the abduction to come forward.
Outpouring of Support
The small Webb City community is now rallying around the victim and her family, with neighbors organizing a candlelight vigil scheduled for Monday night outside the Webb City Community Center.
“We are shaken but thankful,” said Pastor Mark Little from the local First Baptist Church. “This little girl is a miracle, and we will be here to help her and her family heal in any way we can.”
The incident has also reignited conversations across Oklahoma about rural emergency response systems and the importance of coordinated regional alerts and surveillance. Lawmakers from the area have vowed to push for more resources and funding to support missing child response efforts.
Ongoing Investigation
The Osage County Sheriff’s Office is expected to release additional details as the investigation progresses. As of now, authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the public and confirm the girl is in protective care.
Anyone with information related to Jimmy Schimmeles Jr. or his activities over the past week is encouraged to contact the Osage County tip line.