CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was right at about 6 a.m. Monday when Natasha Perkins said that her 12-year-old daughter went out to the bus stop. Perkins said she was right behind her, just putting out the trash.
"I was rolling the garbage can. I could still see my daughter at the same time," she said.
It was just that quick. Perkins said that a man that her daughter said was driving a white or silver car pulled up. Perkins didn't see him, but her daughter said that he yelled for her to get inside.
"He was like 'Hey you get in the car right now,'" said Kajah May.
May said that she did not say anything to the man. She just started to scream and ran toward her mom.
She said that while she was running, she was thinking about her family and what her mom taught her about strangers.
"If they try to harm you or something just scream so other people can hear you and try to run and run," she said.
Perkins said that she is glad her daughter remembered what she taught her. She said she still can't believe this happened.
"Upset. I wish I could catch the guy myself," she said.
Other parents and grandparents told Eyewitness News that they will be more vigilant and talk to their kids about strangers.
"I'm going to start getting up earlier and just look out the window," said JoAnn Carter, who lives nearby.
"I will be out here tomorrow," said Shona Thomas, who also lives nearby.
Perkins said police told her they would be keeping an eye out as well. Monday morning, they put out an alert for officers to be looking for the car.
"I'm still shook up about it and thank God she made it safely," said Perkins.
May told Eyewitness News the man was driving a silver or white four-door car. She said he was driving down Tom Hunter Road toward I-85.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools officials told Eyewitness News it is keeping up with this investigation.
On Tuesday morning, police officers were stationed near the bus stop to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
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