11 Year Old in Florida Fights Off Kidnapper

On Tuesday morning, an 11 year old girl from Pensacola Florida fought off a man who tried kidnapping her at her bus stop. According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons the 30 year old suspect was arrested later in the day after a search involving 50 deputies and other personnel. Surveillance video from the scene shows the girl kneeling on the grass at the bus stop when a white Dodge SUV stops on the side of the road then the man gets out of the car and runs towards the girl while holding a knife. The girl then tries running away before he is able to grab her and he starts carrying her towards the vehicle. The girl breaks free and runs away as the man runs back to his car and drives away.

Investigators were able to get the vehicle’s license plate number and identify the man as Jared Stanga. Stanga is charged with attempted kidnapping of a child under 13, aggravated assault with a weapon and simple battery. He is being held with a $1.5 million bond for the kidnapping and assault plus a $5,000 bond for battery. The girl was playing with blue slime while waiting for her bus and they found the same slime on Stanga’s arms while he was being arrested. Simmons said the victim told authorities it’s not the first time she’s seen the vehicle at her bus stop but that he approached her about 2 weeks ago and made her feel uncomfortable then too.