Edmonton girl, 9, escapes kidnapping attempt
A 53-year-old Edmonton man is facing kidnapping charges and administering a noxious substance after a 9-year-old girl escaped an abduction attempt Wednesday afternoon.
It happened at 3:30 p.m. near 45th street and 137th avenue in northeast Edmonton, as the girl was walking home from school, said police.
The man tried to put a cloth with a noxious substance on the girl's face, but she was able to stomp on his feet, scream and run away, police said.
The girl’s quick reactions forced the accused to flee the area in his vehicle, police said.
The girl told her parents who called police.
Police said the girl then provided a detailed account of events to police, as well as a description of the accused and his vehicle.
“This little girl acted very courageously," said Staff Sgt. Rob Paton, of the EPS Child Protection Section. "She’s obviously been listening to her parents and teachers, because her quick reactions undoubtedly prevented the abduction.”
Police contacted various schools in the area about the attempted abduction, giving them a vehicle description.
On Thursday, police received a call from a school administrator who had seen a vehicle matching the description circling the school.
Police promptly descended on the area, found and tracked the vehicle, eventually arresting a suspect. Police charged Rodrigo Tavares, 53, from Edmonton.
