Police say young girl screaming 'stranger danger' at Southfield store was with her father

Father says girl was upset because he didn't buy her a hat she wanted

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – A young girl who was seen leaving a Southfield store with a man while screaming "stranger danger" was with her father and was safe, police confirmed Tuesday.

Witnesses reported the girl was seen exiting Burlington Coat Factory at 29720 Southfield Road around 11 a.m. with a man, police said.

Witnesses said the child began to struggle with the man and screamed "stranger danger" and hit him, according to police.

Police were told by a witness that the man had a tight grip on the child and told her that "he would tell her how he knew her father when she got into the car."

Southfield police said they did not receive a report of a missing child, but wanted to put the word out in case the girl was in danger.

The girl's father said his daughter was upset because he didn't buy her a hat she wanted at the store.


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Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.