Children are such innocent creatures; it’s hard to imagine how anyone could abuse or hurt them. Sadly, however, there are sick people who prey on kids for kidnapping and/or sexual exploitation. According to the FBI, every 40 seconds a child in America goes missing. When you tally the total, that’s more than 760,000 missing children in a single year.
When a child goes missing, their parents’ world flips upside-down. In the best-case scenario, the child will quickly be found and reunited with their family. In darker circumstances, things can be much more tragic. In July of 2016, a mother from Victorville, California, got firsthand experience with a kidnapper, when a stranger reached into a store and attempted to snatch her daughter.
The woman walked into Macias Cellular & Computer Store to make a purchase.
On the grainy footage, you see her enter the store with her two children. She waits in line with her baby while an older daughter plays with a candy machine near the door.
Out of nowhere, at about 0:25 seconds into the footage, you suddenly see a man open the door and snatch the woman’s young daughter by the arm.
The entire thing happens so fast, it’s hard to believe it’s real.
Luckily, the mother’s maternal instincts kick right in, and it barely takes her a second before she’s racing after her daughter.
Stella Morial, who owns the shop with her husband Miguel Macias, told the Victorville Daily Press:
“You see it all the time in movies and TV, but to actually see it in front of you is a whole different experience.”
When the other patrons realize what is going on, they spring into action, chasing the predator into the street. “There’s a barbershop and liquidation shop next door; they heard the yelling and proceeded to chase him, as well,” the store owner explained.
“They were able to get him and pin him down in the parking until (Sheriff’s deputies) came.”
Luckily, the mother managed to get a hold of her daughter who had wrestled out of the kidnapper’s grip.
The man, who later claimed to be under the influence of drugs, behaved very oddly prior to his arrest. The store owner told CBS News: “I saw him sit down in the middle of the street and laugh, and then he got up and started running again.” Luckily, the little girl was okay. Mara Rodriguez, San Bernardino County Sherriff’s spokeswoman, noted:
“The victim was scared and upset but did not appear to suffer any physical injuries.”
The man, who was later identified as 24-year-0ld Terry Ransom from Hesperia, was evaluated at a local hospital before being booked at the High Desert Detention Center on the suspicion of kidnapping and child cruelty. The Victorville Daily Press later reported he has an extensive criminal history with charges related to robbery and battery on a police officer.
When the video was released to the public, it went viral for obvious reasons.
“It just lets you know how dangerous anywhere can be at any time,” Stella said. Thankfully, all’s well that ends well in what could have been a tragic situation.
“The story has a happy ending,” the store owner told Victorville Daily Press.
“I’m so thankful the community came together and [the mother] is thankful as well that she was able to get aid for her daughter.”
Watch the shocking footage below!
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