Newhall kidnapping suspect identified, facing felony charges

NEWHALL, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 3-year-old Newhall girl was kidnapped Thursday night, but she was quickly rescued when her family members ran down the suspect.

The girl's aunt said it was her brother who approached the man. She said her brother approached the man from behind at a nearby stop sign. The man then asked her brother if the little girl was his daughter and he said yes in order to get her to safety.

News of the kidnapping got the attention of Marina Tapia, who owns property right down the street from the little girl's home.

Tapia said the neighborhood is usually a safe area.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Josh Dubin said the kidnapper had approached the back window at the girl's home and began calling to her from outside.

"And when the 3-year-old girl walked toward the window, [the man] was able to grab a hold of the 3-year-old girl, take the girl out the window and then run down the street," he said.

The little girl is back at home and she does not have any injuries from the ordeal, her aunt said.

Police identified the man suspected of kidnapping the little girl as 37-year-old Ethan Odom. He faces felony kidnapping charges and is being held at the Santa Clarita Valley Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.

"We're going to do our best to process this scene, work this investigation and ultimately present it to the district attorney," Dubin said.

Dubin added that Odom is not related to the girl or any of her family members.

Odom, who has a long criminal history, is scheduled to appear at the San Fernando Valley Courthouse at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12.