A 5-year-old girl’s terrifying ordeal came to an end thanks to the quick actions of a vigilant bystander in Queens. According to recent court documents, the child was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted by an elderly man, 75-year-old Franz Villa, entrusted with her care by her mother.
The attentive witness, who had seen a city-wide alert regarding the missing girl, spotted Villa with the child at the 74th Street – Roosevelt Avenue station. Recognizing the pair, she courageously intervened, following them closely and ultimately rescuing the young girl from Villa’s grasp. She immediately called out for nearby police assistance, leading to Villa’s arrest.
The charges against Villa include predatory sexual assault against a child, criminal sexual act in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, and endangering the welfare of a child. After his arraignment, he was held on $275,000 bail.
The child later recounted to officers that Villa had taken her to his Upper East Side apartment, where she allegedly endured sexual assault. Shockingly, the child’s mother, Kimberly Pijuan, 30, is also facing charges due to her role in this distressing situation.
The events leading to the abduction unfolded when Pijuan and her daughter were shopping at a Foodtown supermarket on Tuesday morning. Villa, whom Pijuan had only known for a few months, offered to take the girl to Frank D. O’Connor Playground. Pijuan agreed on the condition that he returned with her daughter in 30 minutes. However, Villa never returned with the child.
Pijuan went searching for her daughter in the playground and other nearby areas, but she couldn’t find them. She reported her daughter missing to the authorities around 1 p.m.
Pijuan has been charged with child endangerment for entrusting her daughter’s safety to the older man. The identity of the courageous bystander who saved the child has not been publicly disclosed.
This distressing incident underscores the importance of vigilance and community awareness in safeguarding vulnerable individuals from harm.
Source: New York Post
