A search is underway for the homeless man who attacked a 6-year-old girl in Santa Monica.
It happened on March 10 along Main Street, according to multiple outlets.
Christina Tullock, a friend of the family, told KNX News’ Emily Valdez that she and the family had just left an ice cream shop and were passing by a bus stop.
“The disheveled looking man was sitting at the bus bench and swung and punched my friend's child and knocked her down,” she said.
Tullock said she picked up child and ran off.
“We ran about 20 feet away and I turned around and I just started following him and called 911,” she said.
She described the man to KTLA as being between 25 to 35 years old and was wearing a grey hoodie and black pants.
Tullock said the girl and her family have returned home where the girl is recovering.
She called on the county Board of Supervisors to have more mental health services and drug recovery services.
“You can't just let people roam freely who need this kind of help and we're expected to fend for ourselves,” she said.
Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock condemned the attack.
“That is absolutely unacceptable, but we have no way to get those drug adult perps sometimes off our streets and then to help because everything is voluntary,” he said.
He added that more ways need to be found to get people off the streets and into supportive housing or drug counseling.
Anyone who recognizes the man or has any information was urged to call Santa Monica Police at 310-458-8427.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok