7-year-old Tacoma girl gets into tug of war with man trying to kidnap sister

TACOMA - It’s a parent’s worst nightmare.

A stranger tried to pluck a 2-year-old girl from her fenced backyard in Tacoma. The toddler’s older sister got into a terrifying tug of war with the man, preventing the stranger from running off with her.

The unbelievable kidnapping attempt happened in the 3100 block of 17th Street on Wednesday at about 5 p.m.

The toddler’s mother did not want to be identified but described the terrifying ordeal.

“It happened so fast,” the mom said.

The mom says she is grateful the 2-year-old knew to scream.

“I know she was holding onto the fence for dear life,” mom said.

Police believe the man crept up to the backyard fence and peeped in through the slats. When the toddler`s 7- and 9-year-old sisters stepped inside the home, the man opened a gate and grabbed the toddler. The 2-year-old screamed and gripped the gate.

“They said, 'Mommy, a man tried to pull her right out through the fence, just tried to pull her,” the woman said.

The older sisters heard the screams and fought back. The 7-year-old grabbed the 2-year-old's arm while the man pulled her legs. The tug of war ended with the man letting go and taking off

“I looked at my 2-year-old and asked what did he say? 'He said bye bye,'” mom said.

Parents in this neighborhood say they are now scared to turn their backs even for a second.

“That kind of stuff doesn't happen to me but it's right here on our street in our neighborhood,” parent Stephanie Ludwig said.

For the mom dealing with the aftermath, the what ifs haunt her.

“It’s terrifying to think what would have happened,” mom said.

Police say the suspect is a black man who is about 5-foo-8, with a beard but no mustache.

He was wearing a black sweatshirt with a hood, a beanie cap, blue jeans and mid-calf black boots.