CUMMING, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Cumming police said quick thinking by a mother and father prevented their 4-year-old daughter from being kidnapped from the parking lot of a grocery store.
Jose Gutierrez told CBS Atlanta News that his wife was about to load their infant son into his car seat outside Carniceria Hernandez on Veterans Memorial Highway when a man pulled up and attempted to grab the couple's daughter, Lizeth.
Gutierrez said his wife managed to pull the child away and the suspect fled.
"He opened his door and tried to grab her," Guttierez said. "And she saved her. She saved her. She's the hero."
A short time later police arrested Francisco Javier Martinez, 24, of Cumming. Police said he is an illegal immigrant and deportation proceedings may be forthcoming.
The attempted abduction happened right across from the Cumming Police Department.
"It's very unusual to hear of a situation where the family is right there next to the child and something like this happens, but in this case it did," said Detective John Coffman.
Guttierez said his daughter was shaken up by the ordeal.
"She was crying when it happened but now she's a little bit better," Guttierez said.
Martinez is charged with attempted kidnapping, aggravated assault and cruelty to children.
"She's fortunate," Coffman said. "We're also very blessed and fortunate that we were able to make a quick apprehension in this case."
Martinez remained locked up at the Forsyth County Jail on Wednesday.
"There is nothing more sacred in our society, and rightly so, than family and small children," Coffman said. "In my opinion, it doesn't get any more dangerous than someone like this."
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Francisco Javier Martinez
