Teen Brother Uses Slingshot To Fight Off Sister's Abductor

June 4, 2024 Malorie Thompson

A 14-year-old boy in Michigan is being hailed a hero after fending off his sister's abductor.

According to Wood TV, 8-year-old Arianna Burns was out mushroom picking in her Alpena Township backyard in Michigan when a 17-year-old male appeared from the woods and grabbed her.

Photo: YouTube/CBS Philadelphia

Fox 8 reports that the stranger held the girl's mouth shut and tried to drag her away.

Thankfully, the girl's 14-year-old brother, Owen Burns, saw what was happening and used his slingshot to repeatedly hit the would-be kidnapper.

The 8-year-old girl was able to break free and the suspect fled the scene.

Photo: YouTube/CBS Philadelphia

According to CBS News, Owen was inside the house when the incident happened, but he saw it go down from the window.

"I looked out the window and saw her being abducted by a person and I'm like freaking out...So I grab my slingshot and open the window and I grab two things a marble and a gravel rock or something," he said.

Photo: Flickr/Michael Pollak License: CC BY 2.0

CBS News notes that Owens struck the suspect in the head and chest. The wounds from the slingshot left visible wounds on the suspect that police used to identify him.

The 17-year-old has been charged as an adult with one count each of attempted kidnapping/child enticement, attempted assault to do great bodily harm less than murder, and one count of assault and battery.

Margaret Burns shared on Facebook that the suspects name hasn't been released yet because he's a minor. She wrote, "sounds like he will be getting put away for a while...And Owen Definitely got him good on his head had a goose egg."

As for Arianna, she's doing just fine now and even got a few special presents over the ordeal: a pet turtle and a new bicycle!

Way to go, Owen!

Malorie Thompson

Malorie works as a writer and editor in Northern California. She's passionate about food, conscious living, animal welfare, and conservation. She's worked with a variety of publications in different sectors but is happiest covering topics close to her heart. When not at her laptop, Malorie can be found enjoying picnics on the beach, hiking in the redwoods, and spending time with her rescue pup, Jax.

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