This harrowing incident is an unfortunate reminder that evil can be lurking around any corner.
Aubrey, 3, and her 6-year-old sister Natalie used to love playing at the local park — until one frightening day in April 2018.
Freddie Cantrell's two daughters were playing with their mother and stepdad at Regional Park in Auburn, California.
Freddie, who thankfully lives right across the street from the park, was home when he received a panicked phone call from the girls' mother. It's the kind of phone call no parent should get.
"Hey, I need you to get down here quick," she screamed. "Somebody tried to kidnap Aubrey."
A strange man reportedly approached 3-year-old Aubrey and started dragging her off, running and skipping away with her.
And it all happened in front of her older sister, Natalie.
The mom and stepdad took off running toward the suspect. Meanwhile, Freddie bolted out of his house and sprinted toward them from the opposite end of the park.
Freddie caught up with the suspect, and at this point things turned horribly physical. The man tried to punch Freddie with handcuffs wrapped around his fingers; he was using them like brass knuckles.
But that's when Freddie's survival instincts, and fatherly instincts, kicked into high gear.
