Family: Woman ‘speaking in tongues' tries to take girl

SALISBURY, N.C. — Police say a Salisbury woman will be charged with attempted kidnapping and assault once she's evaluated at a hospital.

Witnesses said 37-year-old Thelma Kollie drove to Linn Lane on Thursday and walked into two homes.

They said she then approached a group of children, dragging 11-year-old Keshyiah Miller to her SUV and forcing her inside.

"She grabbed my arm and pulled me all the way down the street," Keshyiah Miller said.

Keshyiah Miller's 2-year-old brother followed behind, and their young neighbor ran up to protect him.

"I was holding him," Jaquarius Cuthbertson said. "And then she looked at me with a mean face and (hit me) and grabbed him from me."

Miller said Kollie could not get her brother in the car, and she was able to escape.

They ran toward their mother, who approached Kollie.

"She was chanting and speaking in tongues and saying all the children needed to come with her and that we're her followers," Charlene Miller said. "She told me that God was going to break my arm if I hit her."

Charlene Miller said when police arrived Kollie dropped to one knee, extended her hand and smiled.

Officers brought her to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

WSOC