Hero brother uses a slingshot to save his 8-year-old sister from being kidnapped in the garden

The 17-year-old's name has not been released despite being charged as an adult with one count of attempted abduction/incitement to childhood, and one count of battery

Alpena station commander Lt. John Grimshaw said the teenager had visible injuries from the sling (

Image: 9and10news)

A girl was able to escape an attempted kidnapping when her brother used a slingshot to hit the would-be attacker, authorities said this week.

Michigan State Police arrested the accused assailant in the town of Alpena on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old's name has not been released, although he was charged as an adult with one count of attempted kidnapping/incitement to childhood, one count of attempted assault to inflict grievous bodily harm beyond murder, and one count of battery.

Michigan State Police said in a news release that the 8-year-old girl was in her backyard when the alleged assailant came out of the woods, grabbed her and covered her mouth.

Authorities said the girl's 13-year-old brother struck the alleged attacker in the head and chest with a slingshot.

The Alpena County Jail, where the suspect was held (

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Police later arrested the 17-year-old based on another family member's description of the suspect. Authorities also said the teen had visible injuries from the slingshot.

In April, a mother in the UK was caught up in a desperate standoff to stop a woman who was trying to snatch her baby away from her.

The woman yelled "he's not yours!" as the nightmare unfolded in broad daylight outside a toy store in Reading, Berkshire.

Police have warned other parents to be vigilant as the hunt for the potential kidnapper intensifies.

The mother, who has not been named, recalled how the attempted child abduction happened after she left The Entertainer on Tuesday.

Posting to the community Facebook group Reading Gossip Girls, the mum said: "Out with my two-year-old son and two friends with their children when I was approached by a woman threatening...