Child Kidnapped While Sleeping in Her Bed Is Recovering at Loma Linda

A 9-year-old girl who was abducted from her home as she was sleeping remained in serious condition today at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

The child was injured when a man reportedly broke into her Riverside home and grabbed her as she slept, a Riverside Police lieutenant said.

Police continue to search for the man who allegedly broke into the residence in the area of Pike Street and Herman Drive in Riverside through an unsecured window Saturday night and grabbed the girl as she slept with two siblings, said Lt. Melissa Bartholomew.

Just before 1 a.m. Sunday, police received reports from residents in the Bolton Avenue and Giles Court area - about three miles from the girl's home - that a girl was knocking on doors, Bartholomew said.

The youngster appeared disoriented and told police a man had taken her, then “dumped” her out of his car sometime later, she said.

The nature of the girl's injuries are not being disclosed or details of what may have happened to her during the abduction are not being disclosed, Bartholomew said.

Police said the girl's single mother was not home at the time, but according to some news reports, the woman was at work.

Child Protective Services has been notified about the circumstances.

Anyone with information on the kidnapper was urged to contact Detective Roberta Hopewell at (951) 353-7124.

City News Service contributed to this report.