Police: Seven-year-old girl nearly abducted able to fight off man in his 20s; "She's a survivor"



MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police say a man attempted to abduct a seven-year-old girl who was playing in front of her home on Thursday afternoon, July 30th -- and they say the little girl did everything she should have done in a situation like this.

It happened shortly after 3:00 p.m. near N. 17th Street and W. Highland Avenue.

Police say the girl, who was playing in her front yard, was approached by a man who attempted to talk her into coming with him. When she refused, the man attempted to pick her up -- but she was able to resist his efforts and run away.

The girl returned home and told her mom what happened -- and police were then called.

The little girl wasn't injured -- but she's shaken up by what happened. This, as neighbors are praising her for her bravery.

Police have not been able to take the suspect into custody.

A mother of two, who didn't want to be identified, told FOX6 News she was horrified to learn the attempted abduction occurred near where she teaches.

"I was very scared. A little freaked out," the woman said.

On Friday morning, she had a very important conversation with her students before their daily trip to the park.

"It was a little scary having to break that news to our students -- but it was very important they knew how to conduct themselves outside of a school building," the woman said.

Her message to her students? Don't talk to strangers.

The mother of the seven-year-old girl who was nearly abducted on Thursday afternoon says she's taught her young daughter what to do if she's approached by a stranger.

"I tell her every day -- 'This is what you do if somebody comes. You better kick. You better bite. You better do something,'" the girl's mother told FOX6 News.

This mother's advice came in handy for the little girl on Thursday afternoon as she was playing in the courtyard outside her apartment building.

"I'm still shocked. Like, why my baby? She said he didn`t touch her in the wrong place or nothing. He just was like -- she said he grabbed her, cradled her and tried to run with her," the girl's mother said.

The girl's mother says she's thankful her daughter is doing okay, and that she's safe.

"She`s doing fine. She`s still a little shook up or whatever, but she's doing fine. She`s a survivor -- that`s what she is," the girl's mother said.

The suspect is described as an African-American man in his early 20s with a short haircut. He was wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt with white writing and green shorts. He fled the scene southbound on N. 17th Street and then eastbound on W. Highland.

Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee police at 414-935-7401.