Maybe the message needs to be about the one that got away for some of us to see our own children at risk. You tell me.

Orlando, FL- “Lucky”, 9, was playing with friends last evening in her neighborhood in the vicinity of S.Goldenrod and Pershing Avenue.  It was a mild evening in Orlando and the children were enjoying a game of hide and seek.  Keeping a close watch on the activities apparently, was neighbor Marcus Younge. 

Younge 23, came out of nowhere, grabbed Lucky by the waist and attempted to pick her up according to the child’s statement to Investigators. She was able to break free from Younge’s grasp and fled home to her parents as she had been taught.  While she was running, she looked back to see if she was being chased by her boogey- man- in- real- life, who was fleeing as well;  in the opposite direction.

Lucky’s Mother called Orange County Sheriff’s Office immediately, and her parents set out to find the guy their daughter said attempted to nab her while they waited for them to arrive.  Approximately one block away, Marcus Younge, who matched the descrition given by Lucky to her parents, was spotted by her Mother who was able to capture a photo of Younge on her cell phone.  Once spotted, Younge retreated from the scene and was nowhere in sight when Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) responded immediately with Officers and a K9 unit.

Using the bloodhound, the k9 was able to track the scent of the alleged perpetrator to his home one block from the scene.  Following a positive ID by comparison to the cell photo and eyewitness confirmation from Lucky, Younge was arrested.

While in custody, Younge denied being outside of his residence at any time that evening.  When confronted with the cell phone photo taken by the victim’s Mother, Marcus Younge’s temporary amnesia appeared to subside.  He admitted that he had attempted to hug Lucky, and that he may have a problem with his need to hug young children. Younge admitted during a digitally recorded interview with investigators that he himself had been sexually abused as a child and he may be acting out as a result.

The words crisis averted apply only to the first half of this report, unfortunately. Remove projectiles from your immediate reach.

Although Marcus Younge was charged with Felony Attempted kidnapping, he posted bond and was released this morning.  In the post-interview findings report it clearly states Younge’s interest in Lucky was that of a sexual nature, specifically :

..”Marcus Younge did attempt to abduct “Lucky” against her will with the intent to commit a felony not limited to lewd molestation and/or sexual battery…”