STANWOOD — The father and uncle of a 10-year-old girl who reported she fought off a man who tried to grab her Saturday evening are asking anyone with information to come forward.
The Herald is not naming them to protect her identity.
The girl said a man pulled her into some bushes at around 7:45 p.m. in a wooded area behind another uncle’s home on 316th Street Northwest. The family was gathered for dinner.
She was outside playing alone on a rope swing when a man reportedly grabbed her from behind.
“She fought him and got away,” her uncle said. “She’s a really brave girl.”
He looked for the man but never saw him after his niece ran up to him “scared and said ‘someone tried to take me.’ ”
It happened so fast, he said, no one in the family caught a glimpse of the man.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office converged on the scene and began searching with police dog teams and helicopters. They received assistance from the Washington State Patrol, Skagit County deputies and police from Stanwood and Arlington. The man was not found.
The girl’s father was away at the store when the incident occurred. He was scared to see police with his family upon his return.
His daughter described a balding man, wearing a blue or green jersey. She wasn’t sure of his race.
“She’s very tough,” he said. “I’m very proud.”
She’s still shaken but is doing OK.
The girl’s father and uncle met with reporters Sunday at an interview arranged by the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s detective Larry Cole said investigators are pursuing leads but do not have a suspect. They are hoping someone comes forward with more information.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.
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