Man Charged With Kidnapping 4-Year-Old Girl In Jamaica Plain

BOSTON (CBS) -- A Boston man is being held without bail pending an evaluation after he allegedly tried to kidnap a child who was playing outside in Jamaica Plain. Police were called to Gay Head Street around 6:40 p.m. on Sunday for a report of a fight.

Witnesses told police a man, later identified as 31-year-old Anthony Jackson of Jamaica Plain, went up to the four-year-old girl, took her by the hand, picked her up, and kissed her.

He then started to walk away with the girl, police said.

Someone yelled at Jackson to stop and alerted the girl's family who then chased him and stopped him.

Jackson was charged with kidnapping a child under 16 and indecent assault and battery on a child. He hid behind a door during his arraignment at Roxbury District Court on Monday.

A court psychologist outlined Jackson's mental illness and prosecutors described other ongoing cases against Jackson, all of which involved him exposing himself.

Those that live nearby are upset. "It's scary to have your child out on the streets and then people like that are out there," said Aranza Bernadel.