Third grader fights off attempted kidnapper outside her elementary school

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A teenager has been arrested after he allegedly attempted to kidnap an 8-year-old girl outside her school in West Valley City, Utah, last Thursday.

>> Read more trending news

In a news release, Granite School District said the Granite Police Department with help from the West Valley City Police Department, took a 16-year-old boy into custody Saturday. The suspect was booked on recommended charges of assault and attempted kidnapping.

The third grader was waiting with her mother for an older sister after school at Whittier Elementary School. The girl’s mother asked the girl to go to the front of the school to see if her sister was aware that they were waiting in the back of the school for her. According to KTSU, the girl was heading back to her mother when the suspect reportedly tried to grab her and brought her into an area by the school cafeteria.

The suspect was seen on video footage dragging the girl outside her school just before 4 p.m., according to The Associated Press.

“She kicked and screamed, and we had an adult supervisor watching that north area and he heard some screams,” Granite School District Chief of Staff Ben Horsley said, according to the news outlet.

As the supervisor went to see what was going on, the girl was able to free herself and return to her mother’s car. The suspect reportedly tried to chase after her, KTSU reported.

The suspect eventually fled the scene.

“The student did the right thing and fought her attacker and screamed for help,” district officials said in a statement, obtained by the AP.

The school district said a “solid lead” came together after the video footage was released that ultimately led to the suspect’s arrest. He is currently booked into juvenile detention.