Two girls escaped separate kidnapping attempts in Michigan thanks to the quick thinking and intervention of bystanders. Endi Bala, 23, attempted to kidnap a 15-year-old girl in Clinton Township by grabbing her and forcing her into his car, but a bystander, Paul Billeter, intervened and helped the girl escape. Bala then tried to kidnap a 7-year-old girl in Sterling Heights, but the girl’s aunt, Alecia Swejkosk, also intervened, leading to a struggle between her and Bala before the girl was able to escape. Bala was charged with kidnapping, reckless driving, and assault and battery in the Sterling Heights incident, and attempted unlawful imprisonment and assault and battery in the Clinton Township incident. He was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation after court documents showed a previous petition for hospitalization due to mental illness in 2023. Bala’s bond was set at $2 million for the Clinton Township charges, and he was denied bond for the Sterling Heights incident. He has upcoming probable cause hearings scheduled for both cases in August. The girls involved in the incidents are said to be coping, but their families are warning parents to be vigilant and keep an eye on their children at all times.
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Michigan man’s attempts to kidnap girls thwarted by bystanders in 2 separate incidents, according to authorities
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