13-Year-Old Boy Saves Little Sister From Kidnapper, Uses Slingshot To Drive Him Away

A Michigan boy's brave act saved his little sister from a kidnapping attempt. The 13-year-old used a slingshot to drive away the alleged kidnapper.

Michigan State Police said the 8-year-old girl was hunting through her backyard in Alpena Township for mushrooms last Wednesday when the incident took place. The 17-year-old suspect emerged from the woods behind the family's house and allegedly tried to abduct her, reported New York Post.

"The suspect had come through the woods onto the property and came from behind her, grabbed her like you'd see in the movies -- hand over the mouth, arm around the waist -- and was attempting to pull her into the woods," Lt. John Grimshaw with the Michigan State Police said.

Police said the girl managed to escape the teenage suspect's grip. Her 13-year-old brother saw this from the window and quickly sprung into action.

The boy grabbed his slingshot and struck the assailant in his head and his chest.

A family member called 911 after witnessing the 17-year-old running away.

The alleged kidnapper was found hiding at a nearby gas station and was taken into custody. The injuries he sustained from the slingshot partially helped officials identify him at the gas station.

"The suspect had obvious signs of injury sustained from the slingshot with wounds to his head and chest," police said.

When investigators spoke to the teenager, he admitted that he had plans of causing great harm to the 8-year-old girl. He "planned on severely beating the victim," police said.

Officers praised the 13-year-old sibling for thwarting the kidnapping attempt with his quick thinking.

Calling the brother's actions "extraordinary," Grimshaw said, "He really is the one that ... I believe saved his sister's either life or from something seriously bad happening to her. He should be commended for it."

The 17-year-old was charged as an adult on a count of attempted kidnapping/child enticement, one count of attempted assault to do great bodily harm less than murder and one count of assault and battery.

He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. Police did not release the teenage suspect's identity even though he is being tried as an adult.