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Attempted abudction
Atlanta police say 8-year-old held at gunpoint during attempted abduction
ATLANTA - An 8-year-old girl was held at gunpoint on her school's playground in Atlanta, and now police are looking to identify the armed man who tried to abduct the third grader.
UPDATED: APS Police: Allegations of playground abduction attempt 'unfounded'
Bailey Hudson was playing outside at the Deerwood Academy playground during recess on Monday when she was attacked. There's no fence around the jungle gym that faces Fairburn Road. She said the man who attacked her rushed across the grass and grabbed her neck.
“The man he walked up to me, he pulled my shirt, started choking me, and while he was choking me, his gun fell out of his pocket and he pointed it at my face,” said 8-year-old Hudson.
Hudson said she tried to fight back.
“I was very scared,” she said. “I tried to scream, but he was choking me so I couldn't,” said the third-grader.
Seconds later, recess ended and a teacher blew the whistle. The man ran off, and Hudson said she passed out.
Hudson was taken back to class. Her mom said she's appalled this happened at school.
“Just being my age, I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said mother Shayna Huff. “And she’s so young and she’s experienced this. Especially at school on the playground--that’s the last place you’d think someone would approach you,” said Huff.
Atlanta Public Schools Police Department released this statement regarding the incident:
The Atlanta Police Department was called to the scene later in the day, but officers say it was not soon enough. Carlos Campos from APD released this statement:
“The ball has been dropped, and I’m very disappointed all the way around,” said Huff.
Police are stepping up patrols in the area to search for this armed man.