Naked Man Attempts to Kidnap 7-Year-Old Girl in Oregon Park, Rescued by Family and Bystanders

A disturbing incident unfolded last weekend in Portland, Oregon, when a naked man tried to forcibly abduct a 7-year-old girl from her family at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, a popular tourist spot along the Willamette River. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Daniel Wasi, grabbed the girl’s arm and began dragging her away from her mother, who bravely fought back to protect her daughter. The struggle escalated until the girl was lifted off the ground as both sides pulled on her.

The mother’s cries for help prompted the father and several bystanders to intervene, physically restraining Wasi with punches and slaps. One bystander also used pepper spray against the suspect, forcing him to release the child and flee. Despite multiple early reports of a naked man behaving threateningly in the park, police delayed their response, citing all officers being occupied with other incidents. Officers arrived only after the kidnapping attempt was thwarted and later arrested Wasi as he swam in the nearby river, possibly trying to escape or wash off the pepper spray.

The girl was treated at the scene for minor scratches and bruises and did not require hospital transport. Wasi was charged with first- and second-degree attempted kidnapping, third-degree assault, harassment, and custody interference. The case has sparked public outrage in Portland over the police’s initial failure to promptly address the suspect’s dangerous behavior before it escalated to a violent abduction attempt.