Philly teen charged with nearly killing sister, 7, found with plastic bag over head

PHILADELPHIA -- Police say an 18-year-old Philadelphia man has been charged with the attempted murder of his seven-year-old sister, who was found unconscious in the basement of her family's home early Wednesday with a plastic bag over her head.

Samir Alford allegedly strangled his younger sister before placing the bag over her head, reports CBS Philly. Police say he then stole his mother's car and fled. Investigators say Alford was possibly high on a synthetic drug known as K2.

CBS Philly reports police were already at the home around 1 a.m. Wednesday talking to a woman who reported the 18-year-old demanded her car keys and drove off. The woman went inside to retrieve the vehicle registration, and when she came out, she was carrying the unconscious 7-year-old. 

The woman reportedly told police she found the girl in the basement with a plastic bag over her head, which she removed.

Police say the girl wasn't breathing, according to the station. First responders administered CPR and revived the girl, who was rushed to the hospital.

"We heard screaming and we came out, and the cops were giving the little girl CPR," neighbor Kathy Burgos told the station. "And after that I know they took her to the hospital."  

Police say Alford crashed his mother's car three blocks from the home and later turned himself in at a police station. Police say he got into an unlocked patrol car outside a precinct and the doors locked once he got inside, the station reports. Police say he then told investigators he had done something terrible.

The victim remains on life support. Sources tell CBS Philly the girl suffered significant brain damage.

Neighbor Burgos described the child as a "happy little girl."

"They used to play together, she used to play right here," Burgos told the station.  "It's just sad. I know that mother's going through a lot."