Police are desperately searching for a man in Loganlea, Queensland, who attempted to abduct a six-year-old girl from her own home.
According to police, the man broke into the house at around 5am on Tuesday and snatched the girl from her bed while her parents were sleeping downstairs.
“Once inside the man entered the upstairs bedroom of a six-year-old girl before removing her from the bed and carrying the child downstairs,” a police spokesperson said, ABC News reports.
The girl’s screams woke up her parents and the intruder then struck her in the face before fleeing.
The man is described as being in his early 20s, with a dark complexion, wearing long pants and a charcoal hoodie.
Police have released CCTV footage of the man riding a bike in the area and are calling on anyone with information to come forward.
Senior Sergeant Grant Ralston said authorities believed the attack was random and warned people in the community to lock their doors.
“It’s sad to think this child was assaulted in her own home,” he said, 7 News reports.
“I’m very proud of the child.”
Snr Sgt Ralston added: “We want this person caught. We want this person off the street.”
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.