The three girls who helped stop a reported attempted kidnapping of a 6-year-old girl received the Kent Police Chief’s Award for Citizen Commendation.
Kent Police Deputy Chief Matt Stansfield and Mayor Dana Ralph honored the teenage girls at the Sept. 17 City Council meeting “for their actions in thwarting an attempted kidnapping,” Stansfield said.
Bentley Hendrickson, Esme Munguia and Kylie Love were at the council meeting to receive the honor for their actions July 16 at the Meridian Green Apartments, 11305 SE Kent-Kangley Road.
“They played a pivotal role in preventing an abduction,” Stansfield said. “Their decisive actions ensured a child’s safety. Their actions not only saved a child from further trauma but contributed significantly to bring the suspect to justice.”
The three girls received a standing ovation from the City Council and the audience at the meeting.
Hayder Albu-Mohammed, 40, of Kent, pleaded not guilty Aug. 1 to a second-degree kidnapping charge. He has an Oct. 28 trial date, although that date could get pushed out if attorneys ask for more time to prepare the case. He remains in custody at the King County jail at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent with bail set at $200,000, according to jail records.
The incident
Kent Police arrested Albu-Mohammed July 16 at the Meridian Green Apartments. Officers responded at about 8 p.m. to the apartment complex after a 911 caller said a man was attempting to abduct a young child, according to charging documents.
Officers arrived at the complex and were flagged down by what police then described as three 11-year-old girls (they were referred to as teens at the council meeting) who witnessed the incident. All three girls live at the apartment complex and pointed in the direction of Albu-Mohammed. Officers took him into custody after the girls helped get the young girl from Albu-Mohammed.
While questioned by police, Albu-Mohammed, through an Arabic interpreter, said he asked a young girl to help him with his prayer beads and that he didn’t do anything wrong, according to charging papers. He said he was just 20 seconds from home and the girl appeared in front of him by coincidence. He said the girl said she would help him, which she did and then left.
Albu-Mohammed said he never touched the girl or picked her up and he didn’t understand why officers detained him.
The girls said they knew Albu-Mohammed was not related to or friends with the young girl. They said he gripped her hand extremely tight. Albu-Mohammed reportedly picked up the girl and started to run with her in his arms, according to charging papers. One of the girls began to record the incident with her cellphone as they ran after Albu-Mohammed. The girls yelled at him to put the girl down as they chased him. He put the girl down and one of the girls grabbed her, pulled her away and the girls all ran away toward the young girl’s home.
The family of the young girl told police they did not know Albu-Mohammed or give him permission to take the girl anywhere at any time.
The plaque
Bentley, Kylie and Esme each received a plaque with the following inscription:
“On the afternoon of July 16, officers were dispatched to the Meridian Green Apartments in response to an abduction in progress. A reporting party indicated that a male suspect was attempting to abduct a young girl within the complex.
Upon arrival, officers received a detailed description of the suspect and directions for travel. The suspect was quickly contacted and detained, and the child was found safe and reunited with her family.
During the investigation, it was revealed the girls played a pivotal role in preventing the abduction. As the suspect was dragging the 6-year-old girl toward his unit, they courageously confronted him despite the evident danger.
The friends began recording the incident on a cellphone. The footage captured them questioning the suspect’s relationship with the child and ultimately declaring, “She is coming with us!” Their decisive actions ensured the child’s safety and return to her home.
Their bravery, quick thinking, and unwavering commitment to protecting an innocent child exemplify the highest standards of community heroism. Their action not only saved the child from further trauma but also contributed significantly to bringing the suspect to justice.
For these reasons, all three girls are awarded the Chief’s Award for Citizen Commendation for their exceptional courage and selflessness in the face of danger. Their actions reflect great credit upon them, their family, and the community they so bravely served.”
Parents thanked
“We also have a heartfelt thank you to the parents of these three girls,” according to a police statement. “You all did a wonderful job raising these young women. Well done.”
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