Man tries abducting 9-year-old girl

Fort Lauderdale police search for man who tried to abduct girl

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale police are looking for a man who tried abducting a 9-year-old girl.

The attempted abduction happened in the 900 block of Northwest 2nd Street on Monday afternoon.

The girl, who was on her way to summer camp, was thrown into a strangers car, according to police, by a man she can only describe as light-skinned.

The girl's friends said they watched it happen.

"We were walking to the bus stop when we saw this man snatch this little girl," a friend said.

The kids at the bus stop stared in disbelief as the 9 year old immediately sprung into action.

"He attempted to drive out of the area. While the car was moving, the child was able to escape from the vehicle," said Deanna Garcia with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

Investigators said the young victim managed to grab the door handle of the newer model white Chevy impala, open the door, and leap to safety. She ran straight to the closest adult at the Fort Lauderdale Boys & Girls Club.

"She was screaming and crying and then she choked him," said one witness. "Then she ran back to the bus stop and I guess they called the police and all that stuff."

As detectives try to find the man responsible, parents at the summer camp are outraged. They are also afraid because whoever did this is still out there.

"Just leave people's children alone," said Ernesha Adams as she picked up her kids from the Boys & Girls Club.

Police said they are really counting on the public's help. Anyone with information should call detectives at 954-828-5964 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.