Police: Woman tried to grab 6-year-old who was walking home with mom in Daytona Beach
Woman tried to take girl walking with her mom
Daytona Beach police are looking for a suspect who allegedly tried to grab a six-year-old on Sunday afternoon as she was walking with her mom. Police said the girl and her mom were walking hand-in-hand along Halifax Avenue when another woman, who was walking toward them, intentionally grabbed the girl's arm and attempted to pull her away from her mom.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Daytona Beach police officers have arrested a suspect they said allegedly tried to grab a six-year-old on Sunday afternoon as she was walking with her mother.
Salimah McCann, 30, was taken into custody in an unrelated case but has since been charged with attempted kidnapping in alleged incident over the weekend.
Police said the girl and her mom were walking hand-in-hand along Halifax Avenue when another woman, who was walking toward them, intentionally grabbed the girl's arm and attempted to pull her away from her mom.
"I was walking with my mom taking pictures and then a girl came…and was like punching my mom's hand," the girl told FOX 35 on Monday. She had just lost one of her teeth.
The girl's father said the woman tried to separate the two, but the girl was able to fight the woman off.
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"The offender tried to karate chop them while they were holding hands. She fell down," he said. "Thankfully she got up, and she was able to scream and kick at the offender."
Police said the suspect ran into a nearby apartment building on North Halifax Avenue. However, no one saw which apartment the suspect entered. Police tried to reach the apartment manager, but were unable to. Other details in the report were redacted.
Salimah McCann. Photo credit: Volusia County Sheriff's Office
Neither the mom nor the girl were hurt, police said.
Our Lady of Lourdes, a Catholic Church and school nearby, reportedly sent a note to parents advising them not to let their children walk home alone as a result of the alleged kidnapping attempt, police said.
For the girl's dad, he's glad his family is safe.
"I just hope that we can make it better for children, and for you and I. It's our community. It's dangerous out there," he said.
McCann is being at the Volusia County Jail without bail. Anyone with information is asked to contact Daytona Beach Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division at 386-671-5200 or Volusia County Sheriff's Office at 386-248-1777.