NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A father who was spending time with his daughter in a Queens park on Monday scared off a kidnapper who jumped out of the bushes and attacked his child, leading to the assailant's arrest, police said.
The 11-year-old girl was riding her bike in Forest Park at about 4:40 p.m. on the day of the attack, with her father following behind on foot.
Police said that at some point, the child sped up and went down a less traveled path, out of her father’s sight. That’s when the suspect, 44-year-old Teddy Moussignac, allegedly jumped out of the brush and grabbed the girl.
He allegedly covered her nose and mouth with his hand, threatening to kill her if she screamed, authorities said. Moussignac is then accused of dragging the girl deeper into the woods, fondling her and punching her in the face and leg to keep her quiet.
The frantic father found his daughter’s bike on the path and raced around to find her. Upon spotting his child and her attacker he yelled out, prompting the man to run off.
Police said that officers were quickly alerted, and when driving the father and daughter around the park they located the suspect. He was quickly arrested.
Moussignac, of Jamaica, is charged with kidnapping, sex abuse, criminal obstruction of breathing, forcible touching, assault, harassment and acting in a manner injurious to a child, police said.
Officials said that he has one prior arrest that is sealed.