Erica Pratt escaped from her kidnappers!! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Christopher · 07-24-2002, 12:44 AM

I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR THIS!!!! The best news yet! I just wanted to let you members know.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A 7-year-old kidnapped girl escaped her captors Tuesday night by chewing through duct tape binding her arms and legs, smashing a window and then calling to nearby playing children for help, police said.

One of the children rode a bike from the abandoned building where Erica Pratt was being held down the street to alert officers, police Lt. Michael Chitwood said. The girl had been grabbed, kicking and screaming, from in front of her home Monday evening.

Police were searching for two suspects late Tuesday. Chitwood said Erica had only minor injuries.

The girl had been left on a mattress in the basement of the building in northern Philadelphia with her arms and legs bound with duct tape, Chitwood said.

"She was eventually able to free herself from the duct tape, she broke through the basement door, she made her way to the first floor and she couldn't get out, so she smashed the window," Chitwood said. "And she summoned help of a couple of little kids who were playing in front of the house."

The children pulled Erica out of the window, and one of them rode a bike to alert the officers, Chitwood said.

Police said they were searching for James Burns, 29, and Edward Johnson, 23, who are considered suspects in the abduction. Earlier Tuesday, police had said the men were known to the girl's family and that their names had been provided by two witnesses.

Erica was playing Monday evening with her 5-year-old sister in front of their grandmother's rowhouse in southwest Philadelphia when two men drove up, called her by name and dragged her into their car as she screamed and resisted, witnesses told police said.

Less than 20 minutes later, Erica's grandmother and primary caregiver received the first of at least six calls from a man who threatened to kill the girl unless he received a $150,000 ransom, police said.

During one of the calls, police said the kidnappers put Erica on the phone and allowed her to speak briefly with her grandmother.

Residents said many adults in the neighborhood were down the street at a block party at the time of the abduction. The area is pockmarked with abandoned buildings and roamed at night by drug dealers.

Erica's mother, Serena Gillis, had pleaded for her safe return.

AllIWantIsYourClutch · 07-24-2002, 12:47 AM

AH! OMG THAT IS TOO COOL!

ks · 07-24-2002, 12:49 AM

That is so good to hear.

Good for her and those kids who helped her out!

ks

Kristina · 07-24-2002, 01:11 AM

That's so cool, she must be really brave!

TALLguyinKY · 07-24-2002, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tootiefan4life
That's so cool, she must be really brave!

And strong, too! To smash a window and chew through duct tape? WOW...

Thank God!

DarleneIllyria · 07-24-2002, 01:35 AM

I am so happy to hear that she got away. Thank God she got away and the kids helped her escape. I hope they find the bastards that kidnapped her and give them what they deserve. I know they didn't kill Erica, but still kidnapping is just as serious as murdering to me.

*Marilyn Monroe* · 07-24-2002, 01:35 AM

That girl is brave! I would like to think I'd be the same way in that situation, but I dont know! I just hope the poor girl isnt scarred for life!

Ewan's My Man · 07-24-2002, 09:51 AM

YAY!! GO ERICA!!!

Mr. Shy Guy · 07-24-2002, 09:55 AM

That's really good to hear.

Jinny Girl · 07-24-2002, 10:50 AM

that little kid is like,... My new Idol man...

Kay Scarpetta · 07-24-2002, 11:51 AM

Well good for her! I know if I was her, I would have been to emotionally...stricken, to even move. But that is wonderful news. This brightened my morning.

Hollow · 07-24-2002, 03:03 PM

Jimbo · 07-24-2002, 05:22 PM

Thank God little Erica was able to escape unharmed from her abductors.

I live in the Philadelphia area. There are now some reports in the local media that this kidnapping was carried out as part of a turf war between rival drug gangs. According to these reports, Erica's father and uncles are members of one faction, and the kidnappers are members of the other gang. There is speculation that the real reason for the kidnapping may have been revenge, rather than money.

I'm glad she's okay. Unfortunately, this child, like so many other children, may be yet another innocent victim in a drug war. If it's true that her relatives are involved in the drug trade, then I'm afraid that little Erica's troubles are not over yet.

TibbyTibby2 · 07-24-2002, 05:52 PM

YAYYYYYY!!

XoVanillaRain90oX · 07-24-2002, 06:20 PM

Finally some good news

07-24-2002, 12:44 AM	#1
Christopher The OG Core Four Forum Star Join Date: Apr 15, 2001 Posts: 14,833	Erica Pratt escaped from her kidnappers!! I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR THIS!!!! The best news yet! I just wanted to let you members know. PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A 7-year-old kidnapped girl escaped her captors Tuesday night by chewing through duct tape binding her arms and legs, smashing a window and then calling to nearby playing children for help, police said. One of the children rode a bike from the abandoned building where Erica Pratt was being held down the street to alert officers, police Lt. Michael Chitwood said. The girl had been grabbed, kicking and screaming, from in front of her home Monday evening. Police were searching for two suspects late Tuesday. Chitwood said Erica had only minor injuries. The girl had been left on a mattress in the basement of the building in northern Philadelphia with her arms and legs bound with duct tape, Chitwood said. "She was eventually able to free herself from the duct tape, she broke through the basement door, she made her way to the first floor and she couldn't get out, so she smashed the window," Chitwood said. "And she summoned help of a couple of little kids who were playing in front of the house." The children pulled Erica out of the window, and one of them rode a bike to alert the officers, Chitwood said. Police said they were searching for James Burns, 29, and Edward Johnson, 23, who are considered suspects in the abduction. Earlier Tuesday, police had said the men were known to the girl's family and that their names had been provided by two witnesses. Erica was playing Monday evening with her 5-year-old sister in front of their grandmother's rowhouse in southwest Philadelphia when two men drove up, called her by name and dragged her into their car as she screamed and resisted, witnesses told police said. Less than 20 minutes later, Erica's grandmother and primary caregiver received the first of at least six calls from a man who threatened to kill the girl unless he received a $150,000 ransom, police said. During one of the calls, police said the kidnappers put Erica on the phone and allowed her to speak briefly with her grandmother. Residents said many adults in the neighborhood were down the street at a block party at the time of the abduction. The area is pockmarked with abandoned buildings and roamed at night by drug dealers. Erica's mother, Serena Gillis, had pleaded for her safe return.

07-24-2002, 12:49 AM	#3
ks Certifiably Insane Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 21, 2000 Location: I live in my hole... Posts: 5,501	That is so good to hear. Good for her and those kids who helped her out! ks
	__________________ "Ya gotta have a little faith." C.D. DeLerenzo

07-24-2002, 01:35 AM	#7
Marilyn Monroe Diamonds... Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 24, 2001 Location: Where gentlemen actually prefer brunettes Posts: 4,811	That girl is brave! I would like to think I'd be the same way in that situation, but I dont know! I just hope the poor girl isnt scarred for life!
	__________________ That certain night, the night we met. There was magic abroad in the air. There were angels dining at the Ritz. And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

07-24-2002, 09:51 AM	#8
Ewan's My Man I'll Cover You Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 29, 2001 Location: Beneath the opera house... Posts: 5,682	YAY!! GO ERICA!!!
	__________________ Don't you ever wanna be somebody to envy Don't you wanna be footloose and free? Well, you could be the life of the party If you were more- Like me! All you have to do is jump over the moon Moo with me!

07-24-2002, 09:55 AM	#9
Mr. Shy Guy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 30, 2001 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 7,871	That's really good to hear.
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07-24-2002, 12:47 AM	#2
AllIWantIsYourClutch peaceout. Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 02, 2001 Location: Illinois. Posts: 53,424	AH! OMG THAT IS TOO COOL!

07-24-2002, 01:11 AM	#4
Kristina Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 27, 2001 Location: CaLiFoRnIa, UsA Posts: 8,890	That's so cool, she must be really brave!

07-24-2002, 01:35 AM	#6
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	I am so happy to hear that she got away. Thank God she got away and the kids helped her escape. I hope they find the bastards that kidnapped her and give them what they deserve. I know they didn't kill Erica, but still kidnapping is just as serious as murdering to me.

07-24-2002, 10:50 AM	#10
Jinny Girl Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2001 Location: ...I'm not sure (looks around) WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE!!?!??!? Posts: 2,726	that little kid is like,... My new Idol man...
	__________________ Good Charlotte Me: JOEL!!! Can i have a picture with you? Joel: Sure, just let me sign everything first. while hes talking he finished signing some other girls stuff and I gove him my ticket Ya don't wanna miss anybody... Me: Ok he signs a star and gives it back Thank you. My mom: while Joel was there OMG DANA HE SPOKE TO YOU!!! I Love Benjamin Madden and Joel Madden Joel Benji Billy Paul Behold the power of Good Charlotte

07-24-2002, 11:51 AM	#11
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	Well good for her! I know if I was her, I would have been to emotionally...stricken, to even move. But that is wonderful news. This brightened my morning.
	__________________ The people who think they know everything about Broadway make me laugh. They've never seen a Broadway play in their life. "oh mi godddd RENT's a mooovie! lyke 525600 minuuuuuuutes!" No. To be a Broadway Freak, you must live, eat, sleep, study, devout, think, obsess, dream, believe Broadway. You must know original & revival casts, soundtracks, performance runs, dates, theatres, numbers, how many Tony Awards A Chorus Line won. You must be Broadway. That's right bitches. I AM Broadway.

07-24-2002, 03:03 PM	#12
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,407
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07-24-2002, 05:22 PM	#13
Jimbo Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2001 Location: United States of America-One Nation UNDER GOD! Posts: 471	Thank God little Erica was able to escape unharmed from her abductors. I live in the Philadelphia area. There are now some reports in the local media that this kidnapping was carried out as part of a turf war between rival drug gangs. According to these reports, Erica's father and uncles are members of one faction, and the kidnappers are members of the other gang. There is speculation that the real reason for the kidnapping may have been revenge, rather than money. I'm glad she's okay. Unfortunately, this child, like so many other children, may be yet another innocent victim in a drug war. If it's true that her relatives are involved in the drug trade, then I'm afraid that little Erica's troubles are not over yet.

07-24-2002, 05:52 PM	#14
TibbyTibby2 I heart rock stars! Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2002 Location: Painting the town your favorite color... Posts: 1,325	YAYYYYYY!!
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07-24-2002, 06:20 PM	#15
XoVanillaRain90oX youre RAD <3<3 Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2001 Location: SwEdEn BaBii! Posts: 3,416	Finally some good news
	__________________ <3Lisa With one look in your eyes.. & suddenly I knew, I'd fallen for you Proud PLAY fan, that's right 2001 - forever.