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Kymorah Reid, a 13-year-old girl from Lauderhill, Florida, narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt in early October, and authorities are now searching for the suspect.
According to local news station KSNB Local 4, Reid’s terrifying encounter took place on Oct. 7 as she was walking home after getting off the school bus near the 5000 block of Northwest 18th Court in Lauderhill. The incident, which was captured on camera in broad daylight, saw Reid being approached by a man from behind. At first, she didn’t think much of it, assuming he was just jogging along the path.
“I moved out of his way because a lot of people jog here,” she told KSNB Local 4.
Then, the man grabbed Reid, pushing her to the ground. As she struggled to break free, the suspect began dragging the 13-year-old student by the leg and foot. Fortunately, the suspect fled when she began yelling. She was unharmed during the tussle.
“I was screaming at him, saying, ‘What are you doing? Get off me,’” Reid said. “I know most people freeze up. They shouldn’t freeze up in the moment. They should fight back and kick back.”
Authorities are unclear about the suspect’s motive.
7News reported that a neighbor nearby also witnessed the suspect, who authorities believed to be in his late teens or early 20s, attempt to kidnap Reid. Wearing a yellow shirt and red shorts, the suspect fled when the neighbor started screaming at him to leave Reid alone.
Investigators are now treating the incident as an attempted abduction. While they believe the suspect acted alone, his motive remains unclear. It’s uncertain whether he was following Kymorah or simply waiting for a potential victim to cross his path, authorities said. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
Reid’s mother, Lois Kerr, is still in disbelief that her daughter nearly became a victim of kidnapping. Speaking to 7News, a visibly frustrated Kerr said she “couldn’t believe it” when Kymorah first told her about the incident and when she saw the surveillance footage, which was provided by a neighbor’s camera.
“When I saw it, that’s when I really, really realized what was going on,” she shared.
While grateful that her daughter is “safe,” Kerr hopes the police will locate the suspect soon. “She’s gonna be all right, and I won’t leave her side. He needs to seek Jesus, and secondly, he needs to turn himself in,” she added to KSNB Local 4.
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