Girl Kidnapped in East Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Residents on the 500 block of Wallace Street in East Bakersfield have banded together in fear and promised to keep a close eye on each others children. This after one of their neighbors, a nine year old girl, was snatched from her bed.

Neighbor Sandra Placencia said "It's scary that something like that would happen in our neighborhood. We're sharing information and looking out for eachothers kids."

As children play in their yards, they're not far from the watchful eye of parents, relatives, or neighbors. All on high alert after one of their neighbors- a nine year old girl - was kidnapped Saturday morning. The girl's relative tells ABC 23 the incident started the night before.

The relative, who would only be identified as Mari said, "A guy came to our door looking for his brother. The little girl and I told him no one was here but he wouldn't leave. So we told him that if he didn't leave we'd call the police. So he took his bike and left."

The next morning around six that same man broke in through the family's living room window and snatched the girl from her bed as she slept and walked out the front door.

Mari said, "The girl felt somebody carrying her and she started screaming and hitting him. He dropped her and then started dragging her."

Neighbor Tomas Garcia said "Alot of us neighbors heard the girl screaming. Then her family came running out of the house but by then the guy released the girl and disappeared down a nearby alley."

Later that night a different man, James Sims of Bakersfield, went to the girl's house inquiring about the kidnapping. When he wouldn't leave a fight broke out between him and the girl's family members. He left, but not before threatening to come back and kidnap the girl. Police later arrested Sims at his home a few blocks away. He had to be tasered for resisting arrest.

Mari said "It feels scary because if it could happen to us, it could happen to anyone."

Police are still looking for the kidnapper. He's described as an African American male between 16 and 20 years old, 5'8", 130 pounds and possibly with chin hair.

Anyone with information is urged to call Bakersfield Police at 327-7111. You can remain anonymous.

As for Sims, his connection to the kidnapping is still under investigation.