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When a monkey escaped from a transport truck in rural Mississippi, one mom did what she felt she had to do. Now, she’s catching heat online for protecting her family — and sparking a conversation about safety, race, and how quick people are to judge Black mothers.
Fast Facts
- Who: Jessica Bond Ferguson — chef and mom of five kids (ages 4–16) from Jasper County, Mississippi.
- What: She shot and killed an escaped rhesus macaque monkey that showed up in her yard.
- When: November 2, 2025 — days after a truck carrying 21 monkeys crashed nearby.
- Why: She feared for her children’s safety after hearing the monkeys might carry diseases.
- Status: Officials later confirmed the monkeys were disease-free, but some were still missing at the time.
Sources: Black News, AP News, People
“I Did What Any Other Mother Would Do”
Jessica Bond Ferguson’s name has been circulating across social media after a wild story out of Jasper County, Mississippi. The mom of five says she had no choice but to shoot an escaped monkey that was wandering near her home — after it allegedly came from a truck crash that released 21 lab monkeys onto the loose.
“I did what any other mother would do to protect her children,” she told People. Her 16-year-old son first spotted the animal near their yard, and by the time she came outside, it was about 60 feet away. Ferguson said she called local officials but was told to just “keep an eye on it.”
When the monkey didn’t leave, she fired twice — killing it instantly. Ferguson said she acted on instinct, thinking about the safety of her five kids who often play in that same yard.
“If it attacked somebody’s kid and I could’ve stopped it, that would be a lot on me.” — Jessica Bond Ferguson
The Backstory: How a Monkey Ended Up in Her Yard
The chaos started on October 28 when a truck hauling research monkeys overturned on Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi. Twenty-one rhesus macaques were being transported for a biomedical research lab, and a few escaped after the crash. At first, local officials warned people that the monkeys might carry diseases like hepatitis or herpes B, but the lab later clarified that none of them were infected.
Still, rumors spread fast — and for a lot of parents, especially those living near the crash site, that was enough to spark fear. Ferguson said she didn’t know what was true, but wasn’t taking any chances with her family’s safety.
Online Reactions: Support, Criticism, and a Bigger Conversation
After the story went viral, Ferguson found herself facing backlash online. Some accused her of overreacting, while others said she was being unfairly judged for doing what most parents would’ve done. Many supporters pointed out the double standard in how the media talks about Black mothers when they defend their children.
“If she was a white mom in a rural area, people would be calling her a hero,” one Facebook user wrote under a Black News post about the story.
That reaction echoes a larger point — Black women are often expected to stay calm and “handle it all” without being seen as aggressive or emotional. Ferguson’s quick decision shows how unfair that double standard can be, especially when her main concern was keeping her kids safe.
Why This Story Hits Deeper
Beyond the headlines, Ferguson’s story sheds light on how fast misinformation and fear can spread — and how little support everyday people get in moments like this. When systems fail to communicate or protect residents, mothers like Ferguson end up making life-or-death calls alone.
It’s also a reminder of how fragile public trust can be. Whether it’s escaped lab animals or environmental risks, too often it’s families in Black or rural communities who are left to figure things out without clear answers.
Looking Ahead
- How can officials better alert and protect communities during accidents like this?
- Should families be given clearer safety guidance when dangerous animals escape?
- And most importantly — why do we still question Black mothers for doing what any parent would do?
At the end of the day, Jessica Bond Ferguson says she doesn’t regret her decision. Her goal was simple: make sure her five kids were safe that night — no matter how strange or unexpected the threat looked.
