Every parents' worst nightmare is what could happen if their child was ever kidnapped. On May 18th, at about 7 a.m. as an 11-year-old girl waited for her bus, a man jumped out of a white van, charged her, and attempted to drag her back towards the van.
A surveillance camera caught the frightening encounter, and the young girl credits a TV show with the idea that she implemented (with some super fast thinking) which led to the suspect's capture.
The Kidnapping Attempt
On May 18th, a little girl was nearly kidnapped. The attack happened at Old Corry Field Road and Perdido Street in Pensacola, Florida.
The Escambia County Sherriff's Office released a video of the terrifying attack.
A man jumped out of his van and ran full speed at where Alyssa was playing on the ground with some blue slime. She tried to run away, but he overtook her, and he was holding a knife. Still, she fought back, making the kidnapping difficult for him.
The struggle between the 11-year-old and the man lasted only a few seconds. However, in that time, Alyssa managed to smear blue slime all over her would-be kidnapper's arms. The kidnapper must have decided at that moment that it was too difficult to kidnap her, and thus can be seen finally releasing her and then running back to his van.
The Blue Slime Led to His Arrest
Alyssa credited her favorite TV Show "Law & Order: SVU" with the idea to smear him with the blue slime. She claimed that even within that short time that the attack happened, the idea came to her as a way for the cops to find the man. That is some fast thinking!
I knew that might be better evidence if the cops do find him.
And you know what? She was right!
The police arrested the suspect, 30-year-old Jared Paul Stanga, after finding him with blue slime on his arms. Her fast thinking not only potentially saved her life but led to the arrest of the suspect. The suspect was charged with the following:
- Attempted kidnapping of a child (under 13 years of age)
- Aggravated assault and battery
As he awaits trial, his bond is set at one and a half million dollars.
Safe and Sound
I'm happy to report that Alyssa is safe and sound at home. She is receiving some counseling following the incident, but her mother, Amber Bonal, has noted no negative changes in her behavior. If anything, Amber commented that her daughter...
"has always been very mature and very smart."