A 13-year-old boy has been hailed a hero after saving his little sister from being kidnapped by shooting the attacker with his slingshot.
The Michigan teen and his eight-year-old sister - who have not been named - had been in the backyard of their home in Alpena hunting for mushrooms when the terrifying incident took place.
The 17-year-old suspect allegedly appeared from a nearby wooded area and grabbed the girl and held her mouth shut as she fought back, managing to break free from his grip.
Her quick-thinking brother, who witnessed the attempted kidnapping from his bedroom window, seized the opportunity to grab his slingshot and hit the alleged attacker in the head and chest to stop him from grabbing the little girl again.
Michigan State Police did not reveal what missile the boy had hit the alleged kidnapper with, but Fox Detroit reports that officers found the suspect hiding at a nearby gas station with injuries to his head and chest.
The 17-year-old was taken into custody and interviewed, where police say he admitted that he had planned on severely beating the child.
The alleged attacker - who is being charged as an adult but has not been named - was booked into Alpena County Jail on charges of kidnapping, attempted assault, and assault.
He has been given a $150,000 cash bond and is next due to appear in court on May 17.
Police said in a statement: "A description of the suspect was aired, and a family member observed the suspect matching the description fleeing the area. Alpena Post Troopers canvassed the area and were able to locate the suspect hiding at a nearby gas station."
They said the teen had "had obvious signs of injury sustained from the slingshot with wounds to his head and chest."
The little girl and her family are said to have been left shaken by the incident, which occurred on Wednesday but was not made public until Friday, and police credited her brother's actions for saving her from a horrifying ordeal.
According to the FBI, an average of 350 people under the age of 21 are abducted each year since 2010.
Lieutenant John Grimshaw, commander of the local post of the Michigan State Troopers, shared his advice to other children who may find themselves in the same situation.
He told 9 and 10 News what he advises they do: "Fight, fight, do everything you can; bite the hand, stomp on their feet, kick them in the shin, do whatever you can to fight. And then if your mouth is free, scream as loud as you possibly can."
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