Girl, 10, escapes abduction attempt in Cannon Falls park

CANNON FALLS, Minn. (KMSP) - Police in Cannon Falls, Minnesota are searching for a man who attempted to abduct a 10-year-old girl in broad daylight at a park Sunday afternoon.

The attempted abduction took place at approximately 4 p.m. in Lower Hannah’s Bend Park in Cannon Falls. The suspect grabbed the 10-year-old girl and carried her while running across the park. The girl was able to get away after the man put her down to catch his breath.

Family members tell Fox 9 the girl is LySandra Peacock. Her father, James Peacock, says he hasn't slept for two night since his daughter was nearly kidnapped while playing in the park with her friends.

“The man ran up, smeared Kool-Aid in her face and eyes, to tried to blind her. So when LySandra went to wipe the Kool-Aid out her eyes [he grabbed her],” said James Peacock. “She said, ‘Dad, you’d be very proud that I kicked the man more than a couple times. As soon as he dropped me I ran and he fled.’”

James Peacock says the entire incident has left him shaken.

“Very alarming, very disturbing, you think of these things when they come close to home, but this one here has hit home,” said James Peacock.

Suspect had hot pink sunglasses, cartoon sweatshirt

The suspect is described as in his early 20s, approximately 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 180 pounds. At the time of the attempted abduction, he was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a white or yellow cartoon drawing on the left side. The cartoon on the sweatshirt was described as "dirty." The hood was tied to cover the man's head and face, but he is believed to have dark brown hair. He was wearing hot pink sunglasses with black lenses and has a slightly deeper toned voice than average.

Police looking for father of two girls as possible witness

Police say they would like to speak to a father was with two small children playing at the park playground shortly before the abduction occurred to see what he may have seen while at or leaving the park.

The Cannon Falls Police Department is also asking anyone in the area of the park, the Cannon Valley Fairgrounds or the new Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bike trail from Cannon Falls to Lake Byllesby between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday to contact them at 507-263-2278.