According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, two girls were saved from an attempted kidnapping by members of a Florida church.
The terrifying occurrence occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on Sunday. while the two females were leaving a restaurant in FishHawk Ranch and were pursued by an unknown guy.
As per authorities, the guy was eventually identified as 37-year-old David Daniels, who informed the girls that he would watch their exit from the restaurant.
“He did not know these children and these children definitely did not know him,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Jessica Lang said.
According to Lang, Daniels followed the two girls as they rode their bikes to a neighboring church.
The girls sought assistance in a church, but the guy pursued them.
“Thankfully these children stuck together and rode their bikes to a nearby church and asked an adult for help,” Lang added.
According to authorities, the male put one of the girls in a headlock at one point. Despite his denials, he allegedly convinced the church members that they were his daughters, and they contacted 911.
One of the girls was able to mouth the words help us to the church members,
Members of the church took extraordinary measures to safeguard youngsters who were not their own. They noticed something was wrong and intervened to save the youngsters.
The suspect was apprehended a short distance from the church when police arrived. Daniels was charged with child abuse and wrongful detention of a minor. At the Hillsborough County Jail, he is being held on a $104,000 bail.
