Teen charged with abducting girl from grandparents

An 18-year-old is behind bars, charged with trying to abduct a young girl as she walked home from a park in Adelaide’s north.

The seven-year-old was with her grandparents and sister when she was allegedly snatched on Niven Drive at Paralowie just before 7.30pm on Monday.

The 18-year-old was allegedly spotted on security cameras watching the girls at the playground.

The grandparents believe they were followed before one of the girls was snatched.

“I was shaking. Oh my god, I was screaming,” the girl’s grandmother told 9News.

“My husband was chasing him and I was screaming as well. I was screaming for help – help, help.”

Two strangers were quick to help, including a bystander named Stephen.

“I drove past him and I saw another lady screaming but as she was yelling, he threw her to the ground and ran down Marvin Way,” he said.

“I was just trying to catch him. I don't know how but I was going to try.”

While Stephen searched for the alleged kidnapper, the two girls were bundled up and helped back home by another woman.

Police arrested the alleged kidnapper on Tuesday night and charged him with abduction of a child. 

The 18-year-old faced court on Wednesday, supported by family members.

Police opposed all forms of bail, saying he was an incredibly serious risk to the community, but the magistrate ordered a home detention report.

“He wouldn't have done that. I know my f—ing brother. This is all bullshit,” his brother said, outside court.

The girl’s grandmother said she wouldn’t be going back to the park, saying it was “scary there for me”.

Her parents said they were still coming to grips with what happened and what could have occurred. 

“We are incredibly relieved and grateful that our daughter was able to come home with us,” they said, in a statement.