GEORGETOWN, Texas — Barbara Wilk was watching her 8-year-old granddaughter Monday when she heard about the abduction in her Georgetown neighborhood.
"So very scary and especially when there's so many kids that walk by this way on the way home from school," Wilk said.
Police say a man knocked on the door of a house on Northwest Boulevard, which was answered by a 9-year-old girl. They say the man then grabbed the girl and carried her away from the house. At some point, the man let the girl go and ran off into the nearby woods.
Wilk said it's a reminder for her and her family to be vigilent.
"I'm going to be much more aware of what she's doing out here, that's for sure. I'm not just going to let her go, you know, kind of really keep an eye on her," Wilk said.
Georgetown Assistant Chief of Police Roland Waits is encouraging adults to answer their doors and have some type of camera system on the exterior of their houses. Waits also shared tips on what to do if kids want to play outside.
"I would highly encourage them to play, if they have a backyard to where they're not out front a fenced yard somewhere, that they can be somewhat contained and away from people," Waits said.
If a stranger comes to the door and grabs a child fast, Waits said parents need to tell their kids to fight back.
"Scream, bite, kick, punch," Waits said. "Make as big a scene, make as much noise as possible so it can draw attention to what is going on."
Police said time is of the essence, but to try and make sure to collect information that is vital to an investigation like a detailed description of the suspect, direction of travel, vehicle or license plate. This kind of advice is what Wilk is taking to heart.
"I try not to scare her, but she knows the world, not and to run or, you know, hide. So, she's grown up in a strange world," Wilk said.
On Oct. 3, Georgetown police released a composite sketch of the suspect in this case. Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 512-930-3510 or email CID@georgetown.com.