A Kent man is facing serious charges after an incident at an apartment complex that could have taken a dire turn if not for the intervention of three young girls. Hayder Albu Mohammed, 40, has been charged with second-degree attempted kidnapping, according to court documents released by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Police responded to a 911 call at the Meridian Green Apartments on July 16, where Mohammed was allegedly trying to abduct a six-year-old girl; the situation was diffused thanks to the courageous actions of three 11-year-old girls, who noticed the suspect holding the wrist of the girl and stepped in, they were walking towards an ice cream truck at East Hill apartment complex when they perceived the unfolding drama prompting them to film the encounter and confront Mohammed. Despite his claims of knowing the child, the young girl signaled otherwise, shaking her head to indicate he was a stranger as recounted by KING5 News.
Mohammed's bail has been set at $250,000, and he remains detained pending further legal proceedings with his next court appearance scheduled for August 1. This incident has not only raised community concerns but has also brought to light the remarkable bravery displayed by children in the face of potential danger, the Kent Police Department praised the girls for their swift action on a social media post describing them as selflessly brave.
While the suspect contends that the incident was a simple misunderstanding, stating through an Arabic interpreter that he just asked the little girl for help with prayer beads and asserting his innocence, according to the Kent Reporter, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lakeysha Washington characterized the incident in the charging documents as "every parent’s worse nightmare." The children's timely response possibly thwarted a "full blown out kidnapping," Washington added.
Reactions from the community have been a mixture of alarm and gratitude, the parents of the six-year-old girl, as well as other inhabitants of the apartment complex, are thankful for the young heroes who acted with such presence of mind. Meanwhile, Kent residents are calling for increased security measures at the complex to prevent future occurrences of this nature. In a statement obtained by KOMO News, the Kent Police acknowledged that the incident was particularly distressing due to its location in a family-centered community. As the legal process unfolds, the neighborhood remains vigilant, its youngest residents having set a striking example of community action.
