Michigan boy uses slingshot to thwart sister’s kidnapping, police say

ALPENA, Michigan — A Michigan girl escaped a kidnapping attempt when her brother attacked the would-be attacker with a slingshot, authorities said this week.

Mlive.com reports that Michigan State Police arrested the accused attacker Wednesday in the town of Alpena.

The 17-year-old’s name has not been released, although he was charged as an adult with one count of attempted kidnapping/attraction of children, another count of attempted assault with less than murder and another count of assault and assault.

Michigan State Police said in a press release that the 8-year-old girl was in her backyard when the suspected attacker came out of the woods, grabbed her and covered her mouth. Authorities said the girl’s 13-year-old brother hit the alleged attacker in the head and chest with a slingshot.

Police later arrested the 17-year-old based on another family member’s description of the suspect. Authorities also said the teenager had visible wounds from the slingshot.