Miami police honor 6-year-old girl who thwarted abduction attempt by biting would-be kidnapper
MIAMI -- The Miami Police Department on Tuesday honored a young girl who managed to foil a would-be abduction attempt earlier this month at an apartment complex in part by biting the suspect.
Surrounded by her parents and Miami police officers who gave her a standing ovation, A'hlyric, set to start kindergarten this fall, received a talking doll and a bicycle for her efforts to avoid becoming a crime victim.
"She's really brave," the girl's mother, Teshia McGill, said immediately following the incident. "She fought him off."
After the ceremony Tuesday morning, McGill told CBS News Miami's Peter D'Oench that her daughter's actions that day were the right response.
"I am proud of her. Many kids do not know what to do," McGill said. "And now I feel much better because they got the person who did it."
Mark Fornaris, the girl's father, also spoke approvingly of his daughter's actions.
"I feel in awe about what happened," he said. "I just want to thank God for everything he has done for my daughter. The lesson is to watch your children and watch your neighborhood."
Miami Police Officer Kiera Delva said she has some important advice for children in the same situation.
"Scream as loud as you can and bite," the police spokesperson said. "Do everything you can to escape a dangerous situation. And remember do not talk to strangers if there is someone trying to talk to you and you don't know them, scream as loud as you can. And make sure you talk to your parents."
Police applauded the girl's ability to provide a description of the suspect and to tell them precisely what happened, clues that led to the arrest of Leonardo Venegas, 32.
He is facing charges of kidnapping and child abuse in connection with the July 6 incident at the Miami apartment complex located at 6530 NE 2nd Ave.
It was not immediately clear Tuesday if he was still being held in custody or had posted bond.
Police said the girl was playing with her siblings in the apartment courtyard and noticed an SUV parked near her building.
The girl told investigators that Venegas left his vehicle, approached her, picked her up and began running away from the scene.
."Then I bit him," said A'hlyric. "Then he slapped me. And threw me on the floor."
The young girl was able to provide a description of Venegas to police, who arrested the suspect two days later with the help of surveillance video that picked up his SUV as it droved into the apartment complex where the girl was when the incident occurred.
After the ceremony, the girl told CBS News Miami that she has law enforcement dreams even though she hasn't yet started kindergarten.
Asked if she wants to be a police officer when she grows up, A'hlyric replied, "Yes."
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