Three young girls helped their 6-year-old friend when they saw a stranger trying to kidnap her in Washington, police said.
The 11-year-old girls were on their way to an ice cream truck at an apartment complex after 8 p.m. on July 16, according to a Facebook post from the Kent Police Department.
As they walked towards the truck, they saw a man holding their friend by the wrist. The girl’s little brother called out to her, but she couldn’t get away and looked scared as the man was pulling her.
Realizing something was wrong, the girls started recording the man with their phones and went up to him, telling him to let the girl go.
The man then picked up the child and tried to leave quickly, but the girls followed and asked if he knew her. The girl shook her head, saying he didn’t.
The man let her go, and the girls took her home. The police were notified, and the 40-year-old man was arrested for kidnapping.
The girl’s parents said they didn’t know the man. Police praised the bravery of the 11-year-olds, saying they acted quickly to keep their friend safe.
Kent is about 20 miles south of Seattle.