PROVIDENCE, R.I. (NewsNation Now) — Detectives are searching for a man who briefly abducted a 9-year-old girl in Rhode Island on Monday. Video released on Tuesday shows an SUV pulling in front of the girl, the driver getting out, picking her up and putting the girl in the back seat.
The girl was taken for about an hour, then dropped off near her home near Providence, NewsNation affiliate WPRI-TV reported.
Officials haven’t said if the girl was harmed.
Investigators were seen going door-to-door in the area asking residents for information and surveillance footage that could help them identify the suspect.
As detectives continue to search for a man who briefly abducted a 9-year-old girl in Providence, the department released video footage of the incident.
Police said the driver is believed to be a Hispanic male, 20 to 40 years old, with black hair and wearing all black. His vehicle appears to be a gray Nissan SUV.
There are multiple schools and a Boys and Girls Club in the area and police have urged parents and guardians to ensure their children stay aware of their surroundings and be wary if approached by an adult not known to them.
“It’s kind of scary just to think about,” parent Maria Hernandez told WPRI-TV. “We have to be careful with the kids that are out, and your own kids too.”
“Abduction is not something you would be used to hearing about,” another parent, Erick Mazariego, said. “My daughter is just right down the street, and the fact something like this could happen is shocking.”
