Claire Reid
A brave six-year-old girl fought off a would-be kidnapper by biting him, US police have said.
Little Ah'lyric and her siblings were playing in the courtyard outside the apartment complex she lives in Miami, when they spotted a white Range Rover park up.
While the other youngsters headed back inside, the six-year-old remained outside on a stairway, according to a report from Miami police.
The girl says a short time later, she was suddenly grabbed on the arm by a man who started to pull her.
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However, Ah'lyric fought back and pulled away from the man, prompting him to pick her up and attempt to carry her away, the report said.
It was at this point that she bit the man on the arm, which caused him to drop her, the man then slapped Ah'lyric and ran away, according to the report.
Speaking to NBC South Florida, the youngster said: “I bit him,” telling journalists that she'd learnt the move from her mum.
And mum Teshia McGill added: "I’m glad she knew how to fight back.”
On Saturday (8 July), 32-year-old Leonardo Venegas, was arrested on charges of kidnapping and child abuse causing no great bodily harm, Miami-Dade jail records showed.
CCTV footage showed the white vehicle arrive at the apartment building and a man get out and approach the stairway. It later showed him running from the area.
Thanks to a license plate reader, cops were able to track down the owner.
Miami Police Capt. Freddie Cruz said: "This is a case that has us extremely worried, concerned, something that's not very common. Luckily we were able to apprehend this individual."
Offering advice to parents on how to keep their little ones safe, he added: "If you're going to be playing outside, which is a wonderful thing, please, try to play in groups, try to have an adult present, some sort of supervision, know where your children or if you're a guardian, know where they are at.”
While shaken-up mum Teshia added: "Just protect your kids and look over them, keep a close eye on them, cause anything can happen in the blink of an eye.”
Cruz also told the media that they’re investigating whether there could be any other victims and has urged anyone with any information to come forward.
He said: “This is obviously something very disturbing, again, something that's not very common in the city of Miami.”