11-Year-Old Fights Off an Attacker

It's a sad sign of the world we live in that 11-year-old Xochil Garcia has thought about what she would do if she were being robbed or kidnapped, and it's sadder still that she actually had to put a plan into action. But thankfully Garcia managed to escape from a man who tried to kidnap her and also aided in his capture.

On Sunday, Garcia was coming back home from picking up a Mother Day's card and gift (nail polish) when she realized 19-year-old Bernard Mutterperl was following her and decided to run home. From the Daily News:

She recalled seeing him talking to her landlord before, she said, and wondered if she had misjudged him.

But after making it up two and a half flights of stairs in her building, Mutterperl grabbed her just short of her apartment, she said.

"He grabbed my mouth and told me to not scream. I thought he was going to take me up to the roof and rape me or something like that," Xochil said.

"When [we] went downstairs, he loosened my wrist a little bit. And I took advantage of that and I broke out of where he was holding me and I ran outside."

That was Plan B - "to calm down, relax and try to get away." Garcia also admitted to the Post, "Before a robbery happens, I always think of a plan to do. But sometimes when I'm nervous or scared, I forget my ideas. I only came up with half a plan when I got caught." She didn't immediately scream because she wasn't sure her brother would hear her.

When Garcia got away, she screamed for help and buzzed all the apartment intercoms. Finally, Timothy Isaac and her brother Angel heard them, and the two men, with the help of other neighbors, grabbed Mutterperl, who had taken off his green shirt, possibly to evade capture. According to the News, Mutterperl said, "I'm sorry, I won't do it again. I won't do it again," as the "crowd pummeled him to keep him from escaping." He was arraigned on charges of unlawful imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child and held on $75,000 bail.

Garcia's parting advice: "Try to figure out a plan before somebody tries to kidnap you. That way if somebody tries to touch you, you're ready to attack them back."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on May 15, 2007 9:25 AM

Comments [rss]

dkim

awesome. i'm glad this turned out well.

bob dole

whatever happened to "stop snitchin"?

bob

she is definitely a smart girl.

I grew up in the burbs but my parents always taught me what to do if I was attacked. Some tips include holding on to a fence or your bicycle if you are riding it and don't let go - it's harder to kidnap someone if they are holding one. Also, if you have your school backpack, throw it at them - its instinct to catch it and it gives you a extra moment to run.

They have videos for kids that have tips like these.

DaveH

Maybe the guy who got smashed in the head by a surly teen should ask for self defense lessons from this little girl. She certainly seems to know how to handle herself.

Mr Mordon

That little girl is truly a hero we can all look up to. Not to mention a Future Butch Lesbian

Javier

nice story....put the perv behind bars

jt

When situations get hectic, I want that little girl on my side! She's tough and smart.

ebad

I grew up in Queens and from day one our parents instructed my sisters and I on what to do in dangerous situations. From getting lost on the subway, to flashers, to possible kidnappers we always thought of what to do. This girl's "planning" is not so unique, it's just a matter of the public not understanding what inner city childhoods are like. It may seem as 'safe' as the suburbs, but we grow up with things like art and good food, so it pretty much evens out in the end. She is amazing though, and Bloomberg should cut her a $100,000 check right now to use for college.

rdc

Awesome kid. Not sure who taught her to think like that but they deserve a medal (or a nice dinner somewhere).

nick

whenever i want to escape being captured for attempted kidnapping, i take off my shirt. it makes me look much less suspicious.

Awesome

I hate that we live in a world where an 11-year-old has to worry about something like this, but Garcia is one streetwise, kick-ass kid.

I kind of wish someone in the crowd had used Mutterperl's skull for batting practice - with a tire iron.

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again!"? Damn right you won't. With any luck, you'll be in prison, and EVERYONE there will know that you're a child molester. Good luck!

em

I would rather be labeled rude than get in an elevator with someone who makes me uncomfortable. It is sad that an 11 year old had to have a plan but most people don't they think hoping bad things don't occur are going to keep them safe.