Teen sentenced to 18 months for attempted child abduction
PORTLAND, Ore. - A child abduction suspect who was caught after a girl's mother took a 2x4 to him back in August asked for forgiveness during a court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
The suspect, who was 17 years old at the time, pleaded no contest to attempted kidnapping, and read a letter to the girl's mother. He was sentenced to 18 months.
"Even though I don't remember anything, I felt horrible for what I did to your daughter," he said. "I was under the influence of drugs. I lost my mind.
"I have all the time in the world to think about the mistakes I have made," he said. "So please forgive me for what I did."
KATU News reported in the August that police credited quick action by the girl's mother, Antoinette Robinson, and neighbors who helped her capture the suspect.
Robinson said she became concerned when she heard muffled screams from Xavieria, her 6-year-old daughter. The screams were coming from an area where children were playing.
"She was outside playing with her friend, right by the bush, by the front door and I’m sitting there watching TV, and I thought I heard her call me," Robinson told KATU. "When I looked I saw a man with his hand around her mouth and her body.”
Robinson said the suspect was trying to pull Xavieria into the bushes.
"He put his hand over me, and then he pushed me in the bushes and then my mom came out," said Xavieria. "I thought he was going to take me."
But mom jumped into action and ran at the suspect.
"Motherly instincts. I just got up and socked him in the face and then he let her go," she said. "I went to hit him again and he grabbed my hand and rolled down the hill a little bit, then I got on top of him and started socking him in the face.”
Officers later told her that the suspect was high on mushrooms, Robinson said.
Neighbors heard the scuffle and came to Robinson's aid. She hopped in a car to chase the boy as other neighbors followed him on foot, police said.
"I got out of the car and hit him with a 2x4 and I broke that over him and he took off again," Robinson said. "We’re all chasing him again and good citizens blocked him in somebody’s yard, and being mad, I just stepped in his face.”
Police said the attempted abduction happened near 169th Avenue and Lafayette Street in Southeast Portland. The suspect was arrested near SE 164th and Division.
Surveillance video captured the take-down. It shows the suspect attempting to run away. He trips near a pickup truck and then is surrounded by neighbors who pin him against the truck. At least one of them kicks the suspect a couple times.
Robinson said her family lives in the St. Johns area but was in Southeast Portland for a barbecue.
The Portland Police Bureau would like to remind parents to talk to their children about "stranger danger" to keep them safe. Some excellent tips by Dr. Robin F. Goodman about "stranger danger" are available by clicking here.
20 years is more like it. Kidnapping another crime worthy of death.
Wait!   Why didn't she just call the cops and let them deal with it? Isn't that what the gov't keeps telling us?  "You don't need to protect yourself, that's what the police are for" OH! That's right, police are not obligated to protect you (Supreme court ruled). They just deal with after the crime procedures. Thank goodness this lady hadn't become a total sheep. I'll continue to take care of my own security, thank you. This story proves once again that self defense is vital. Make sure you are stronger than the bad guys either by gun or other means (2x4 worked well this time)
WOW! Why didn't you call bash his head in with a brick?
Rock on mom!! Now THATs a good mom right there, fight tooth and nail to protect your child, and some awesome neighbors that didn't sit back and "stay out of it", they jumped in and helped! Thats the way things should be! congratulations mom and very happy your daughter is safe!