LAUDERHILL, Fla. – Authorities in Broward County are searching for a man they believe tried to kidnap a 13-year-old girl.
It happened on Oct. 7 along the 5000 block of Northwest 18th Court in Lauderhill.
Surveillance video captured the suspect and police are hoping someone recognizes him.
4:30 p.m. report:
In the video, you can see 13-year-old Kymorah Reid walking by a fence after a school bus passes by.
Moments later, police said a man in a yellow shirt ran behind her.
“I was walking home from school,” said Kymorah. “I saw this car pull up behind me, I didn’t think much of it because a lot of people pull up there to pick up their kids. I was walking then I heard this guy jogging behind me then I looked back and saw him coming towards me.”
Before she could get away, detectives said he grabbed her ankle, sending her to the ground.
“When I saw the video that’s when I realized what was happening,” said Lois Kerr, Kymorah’s mother. “When I saw that everything inside of me turned upside down. I couldn’t believe it was happening to my child.”
Police said there was a struggle but the suspect then took off heading east while the girl started yelling and thankfully was not harmed.
“I was screaming at him, saying, ‘What are you doing? Get off me,’” Kymorah said. “I know most people freeze up, they shouldn’t freeze up in the moment, they should fight back and kick back.”
Both of the women told Local 10 News’ Samiar Nefzi that the incident has left them in fear. Kymorah no longer wants to walk alone while Kerr said she is fearful to let her child out of her sight.
Authorities released a flyer on Wednesday and are hoping someone can come forward with information that will help them track him down.
“First, he needs to stop doing what he’s doing,” said Kerr. “He needs to seek Jesus. Secondly, he needs to turn himself in.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.