An 8-year-old child bravely intervened when their cousin was targeted in an attempted kidnapping in Sterling Heights. The child courageously stood in front of the alleged kidnapper’s car in an effort to prevent them from escaping with their cousin. Additionally, the girl’s aunt valiantly fought against the kidnapper, according to the kids’ step-grandmother.
According to Andrea Childers, the step-grandmother of the children involved, Endi Bala reportedly hit the 8-year-old with a car following an alleged attempt to kidnap the boy’s 7-year-old cousin. Moments before, he reportedly attempted to abduct a 15-year-old girl who was strolling through Clinton Township.
Childers is grateful for the presence of her granddaughter’s aunt and cousin, as she reflects on the potential outcome if they had not been there to intervene.
Bala, a 23-year-old, was arraigned on Thursday in relation to both attempted kidnappings. The individual is facing charges of kidnapping-child enticement, misdemeanor reckless driving, and misdemeanor assault and battery in Sterling Heights. In addition, he faced charges of unlawful imprisonment and misdemeanor assault and battery in Clinton Township. If found guilty, the individual could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the crime of kidnapping.
During the Sterling Heights arraignment on Thursday, Bala’s attorney refrained from commenting on the case. However, they did request a $50,000 bond for Bala, citing his existing $2 million bond in Clinton Township. Assistant Prosecutor Mark Laws requested a $5 million bond, expressing concerns about Bala potentially fleeing the country due to his frequent trips to Albania in recent years.
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Bala has been remanded to the Macomb County Jail by Magistrate Michael Piatek of Sterling Heights’ 41-A District Court.
Childers expressed his dismay at the $50,000 bond requested by Bala’s attorney, stating that it was a devastating blow for the family.
“He should never be allowed to see the light of day again,” Childers remarked.
An individual named Bala was apprehended by Sterling Heights Police on Tuesday for reportedly approaching a young girl at the Clinton River North Park. He allegedly forcibly removed her from her bicycle and placed her inside his vehicle, as per the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Video of the incident was released by the police on Thursday. According to Childers, the girl’s mother took her to visit her father and the girl asked to wear glasses in order to change her appearance from how she looked on Tuesday.
According to a press release from the Clinton Township Police Department, witnesses reported a man forcing a 15-year-old girl into a white sedan on Clinton River Road east of Hayes. The incident was reported to 911 an hour ago. A girl was spotted strolling along Clinton River Road.
Prosecutors claim that he forcefully grabbed the girl’s head and neck in an attempt to force her into his car. A resident stepped in to assist the girl in escaping and promptly informed other residents, who then contacted emergency services, as stated by prosecutors.
According to prosecutors, the man was pulled out of the car by the aunt of a 7-year-old girl and a police volunteer with Citizens on Patrol. According to Sterling Heights police, the aunt rushed over to the car and engaged in a physical altercation with Bala.