A Florida man in Safety Harbor, Paul Gary Morgan, was arrested Saturday afternoon for the kidnapping and molesting a 9-year-old girl.
Morgan, 63, grabbed the girl after she refused to show him her panties when he approached several children playing in a neighbor’s yard.
The man took the girl to the backyard of a nearby home, attacking her, ripping off her underwear.
Police say this was witnessed by a 4-year-old girl and 6-year-old girl who were playing with the victim and tried to confront him. He pushed away the 4-year-old when she yelled at him and the 9-year-old victim was able to escape.
The victim’s mother called 911 after trying to confront Morgan, who fled the area.
Deputies responded and found Morgan walking in the area, who was then identified and arrested.
Morgan admitted to speaking with the victim, deputies say.
Witnesses say he frequents the neighborhood but isn’t known to residents.
The sheriff’s office says Morgan suffers from an intellectual disability and is a resident at the Harbor Point Assisted Living Facility.
Morgan is charged with one count of kidnapping, one count of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of child abuse.
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