Police: 11-year-old girl attacked in mall restroom, father tackles suspect in food court

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County police are investigating after an 11-year-old girl said a man with a knife attacked her in a mall restroom.

, 26, was arrested at the scene. He faces charges of aggravated assault, attempted kidnapping and first-degree cruelty to children.

He has a criminal history, according to police.

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Around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, police said an 11-year old girl went inside the women's restroom at the food court inside Town Center Mall.

Her father waited for her outside the restroom.

Police said when the girl left a restroom stall, a man left a different stall across from her, at the same time.

From there, police said the man grabbed the girl and put a knife to her throat.

Police said the girl screamed, broke free, and ran to her father.

The 11-year old pointed the man out to her father, and they got into a fight.

Two other shoppers jumped in and wrestled the man down.

Police said as they had Mitchell pinned and were waiting for officers to arrive, Mitchell appeared distracted.

“The father looked backwards to see why this guy was distracted. In doing so, he saw a female communicating with this man,” Cobb County Deputy Chief Stuart Vanhoozer said.

Cox Media Group