CLINTON, Ohio -- Two men attempted to abduct a 12-year-old girl, the seventh such attack in a small area of northeast Ohio in the last year, authorities said Wednesday.
Four of the girls were kidnapped and later found dead, while the other three attempts, including that of the 12-year-old Tuesday night, were apparently thwarted by the girls' screams.
Police Chief Bill Snyder said the girl told police she was in an alley behind her home emptying trash when two men grabbed her and tried to pull her into their car.
The two apparently fled when the girl screamed. Two of her sisters said they heard the car's tires screech as it pulled away.
Her father said he was walking near the back door of the home when he saw the girl in hysterics.
'She was holding her arms and there were red marks,' he said. 'Her arms are still sore, but there are no bruise marks. She's still shook up, but the police got her pretty much quieted down before they left.'
Clinton is about eight miles southwest of Akron, where 9-year-old Damita Sullivan was kidnapped Oct. 13, 1981. Her body was found about six months later, buried in a lot about a half-block from her home.
In Massillon, about 12 miles away, Dawn Marie Hendershot, 7, was abducted Sept. 29 and her body was found three days later.
Two girls were abducted and murdered in neighboring Wayne County. Tina Maria Harmon, 12, in October, 1981 and Krista Lea Harrison, 11, in July.
Wayne County officials say there were two other attempts, one last week in Shreve, about 24 miles from Clinton, and another in Wooster, about 15 miles from Clinton.
Authorities said they have not determined if any of the incidents are related.
