Bystanders Who Saved Child From Kidnapping Praised By DA

LONG BEACH, CA — A Hawthorne man was charged Friday with attempted kidnapping and forcible lewd act on a child for attacking an 11-year-old girl walking home from school Monday, said Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

He praised bystanders who intervened to save the girl.

Gascón offered his "heartfelt gratitude to the witnesses who stepped up during this critical time. Your willingness to act and provide aid to the victim and valuable information to police was vital in identifying the suspect, demonstrating the strength and unity of our community in protecting its most vulnerable members. Our Sex Crimes Division will work diligently to hold the offender accountable and seek justice.”

The attack occurred around 3:15 p.m. Monday as an 11-year-old girl was walking near M Street and Gulf Avenue, according to the LAPD. A man approached her from behind, fondled her breasts and attempted to remove her from the area before residents in the area intervened to save the child, according to police.

The suspect fled the area in a gray Nissan Kicks with a spare wheel mounted on the passenger side.

On Wednesday, detectives executed a search warrant at the Hawthorne home of Jose Julian Jaime Jr., 30 and arrested him on suspicion of aggravated kidnapping.

Jaime remains behind bars on $1 million bail.

If convicted as charged, he could face 19 years in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Gascón also offered sympathy to the victim.

“Our thoughts are with the young victim as she and her family navigate the trauma she has endured. No child should ever have to face such a terrifying encounter, and we are committed to supporting her in every way possible through our office’s Bureau of Victim Services,”he said.