A man accused of holding a girl at knifepoint in a bathroom at Town Center mall in Cobb County was tackled and restrained by shoppers, police said.
About 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, an 11-year-old was at the mall with her family when she asked to use the restroom in the food court, Cobb police Officer Sarah O’Hara said in a news release.
“She was accompanied by her father to the hallway leading to the restrooms, where he remained while she went into the women's restroom,” O’Hara said.
The girl told investigators she did not see anyone in the restroom when she went in the stall, but when she exited, the door to the stall in front of her opened.
A man left the stall, grabbed the girl and put a knife to her throat, O’Hara said. The girl screamed and eventually broke free.
She pointed out the man to her father as the suspect left the women’s restroom.
The man was then tackled and restrained until mall security arrived, O’Hara said.
Credit: Cobb County Police
Credit: Cobb County Police
He was identified by Channel 2 Action News as Danzell Mitchell, 26. He faces charges of aggravated assault, attempted kidnapping and first-degree cruelty to children.
Police told Channel 2 he has a criminal history.
Police also believe a woman acted as his accomplice.
Anyone with information is asked to call Cobb County police's crimes against children unit at 770-801-3487 or email the unit at cobbsvu@cobbcounty.org.
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