Freddie Cantrell will cherish his memories of that day. In Auburn, he resides right across the street from Regional Park. His children and ex-wife are frequent visitors who like outdoor activities. But something unexpected happened that adulterous night, as his ex-wife and her spouse were watching the kids.

“I received a phone call from my ex-wife requesting that I come down immediately.” Cantrell recalls her saying, “Someone just tried to kidnap our daughter, Aubrey.”

“Some unknown guy just showed up and started dragging her.” “He tried to run over her and take her with him,” Natalie recalls.

When the mother and her husband noticed this, they responded promptly. They were on the run, attempting to apprehend the criminal. Cantrell noticed them and began running in the other direction, knowing that this was the only way to catch him.

“He had handcuffs wrapped around his fingers and attempted to use them on me.” He planned on making them look like brass knuckles and punching me with them. “I had no choice but to act immediately and knock him out,” Cantrell recalls clearly.

Deputy County came on the scene shortly after and arrested 26-year-old Yonel Hernandez-Velasco for attempted kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon.

“We watch the news every day, and we’re aware of the bad things that happen to other people.” “We just hope it never happens to our children,” said April McGuinness, a neighbor and witness to the event.

“I can’t imagine what would happen if the roles were reversed and I was the victim,” the woman’s 11-year-old son stated. I usually come here by myself.”

The news traveled quickly, and most of the residents surrounding Regional Park are relieved that the criminal is no longer on the streets.

“My reaction would be similar, if not the same,” another neighbor added. We’re talking about kids here, whether they’re mine or someone else’s.”

“I heard so many people praising me and telling me, ‘Oh, you’re such a hero; you saved the girl,’ and all I could think was, ‘That little girl is my daughter, and I must protect her at all costs,'” Cantrell said.

Aubrey’s mother decided to film the incident and share it on Facebook. Her message went viral, with over 1,000 shares and hundreds of comments from concerned citizens around the country. The father’s bravery was lauded.

It was unknown if Hernandez-Velasco was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was taken to the hospital, and blood samples were obtained in order to identify him. He was transported to Auburn Jail shortly after and arrested on counts of attempted abduction and assault with a dangerous weapon. He will be held in detention until his bail of $1.2 million is paid.

More about this subject may be seen in the video below.