Attempted kidnapping near a North Austin middle school

An attempted kidnapping near Burnet Middle School in North Austin has parents thinking twice about letting their kids walk home. It also has police stepping up security in the area.

Austin Police confirm the attempted kidnapping happened on Monday. They say a suspect is custody. They are't releasing his name or a photo, because it is an ongoing investigation. Austin Police also won't confirm if any other attempted kidnappings have been reported in the area.

A letter to Burnet Parents describes what a witness confirmed for FOX 7, that a High School girl was headed home along Renton Drive, South of Ohlen, when someone forced her into a car. Witnesses were able to get her out.

The would-be kidnapper took off. The witness wouldn't speak with Fox 7 on-camera but he says the man came back to the neighborhood a few hours later. That's when Austin Police arrested him.

"I give my hats off to the people that helped her because I mean had they not, this could have been worse," says Charmaine Henson.

She says her daughter was nearly kidnapped in December while she was walking home from Burnet after Sports practice. She says someone came to her daughter's rescue also. And she believes that kind of community involvement is key to keeping children safe.

"You don't have to go and knock on the door and say, 'hi, I'm your neighbor", but if you see someone in distress, help them that's what's important, you would want someone to do that for your child."

The Full letter from Burnet Principal David Dean is below in English and Spanish: