Jammed Latches; Can't shut door!

Hello all!

My mom just called with a rather difficult problem. The door latch has jammed on the rear door of her 2005 Prius (with sks, if it makes a difference...), with the result that she cannot close the door.

She was carrying an adult passenger, to whom she suggested to disengage the child safety lock so the passenger could get out easily later. The passenger, unfamiliar with the car, instead flipped the metal latch that grabs the U-shaped receiver on the car's frame. It clicked into place. Now, the door cannot be closed and the child lock will not disengage. Neither interior nor exterior door handle will open the latch.

I went out to my car to replicate, but mine disengaged from the same setup with no problems. I foresee a door disassemble in my immediate future. I haven't seen the thing yet, but she's on her way home now, door ajar and everything. Anybody have any ideas?

 

Well, it turns out they decided to have one more go at fixing it, and used the pry-bar part of the tire lever. (I.E. a BAS ) Whatever they did, amongst all sorts of rain-dances with the latch handle, the door locks, and the key fob, they got it to release. So, I never got to see it. Oh, well. All's well that ends well.

Peacekeeper: The child lock was definitely on. That was part of the issue, it seemed. I'll never know for sure what happened, unless it happens again. (crosses fingers, stands on one foot, knocks on wood, ect.)