Girl, 13, saved boy, 8, from sex offender, Calif. police say

(CBS) MODESTO - Police say a central California teenager stopped a convicted sex offender from kidnapping an 8-year-old boy, CBS Sacramento reported.

"He got up and put me in his hands and tried to walk away," the 8-year-old told the station.

Registered sex offender John Jenkins allegedly tried to kidnap the boy.

"I was scared," said the alleged target.

The boy was playing basketball with children from the block in front of his Modesto home. The ball went over the fence and when the boy went to retrieve it, police say, the accused kidnapper attacked.

"She pulled me away so he couldn't get me," the boy said, referring to 13-year-old Marisa Martinez.

"My instinct was to go over and help him," the girl told CBS Sacramento. "I ran as fast as I can over, and I started pulling on him, and saying 'let go of him' and I started screaming for my mom. I think the dude got scared, and let go of him," said Marisa.

Her mother, Kristen, called police and helped lead officers to Jenkins.

The children, however, noticed something was wrong before the attack. The suspected kidnapper was trying to break in next door. When Marisa told him to stop, she says he made inappropriate comments.

Kristen isn't surprised her daughter came to the boy's rescue.

"I think it was natural for her to try to do something to help," said Kristen.

"It goes through my mind every day. What would have happened if I wasn't out there," said Marisa.

"I'm a little scared to play outside still," the 8-year-old boy said.

Jenkins remains locked up on charges of annoying or molesting a child and kidnapping.