8-year-old fights off attempted kidnapper in her bedroom, Colorado officials say

Police arrested a man accused of attempting to kidnap a girl from her home, Colorado officials said.

On Oct. 15, Thomas Gallegos, 56, broke into an 8-year-old girl’s bedroom in Sterling and tried to kidnap her, according to a Facebook post by the police department.

Police didn’t specify if Gallegos knew the girl.

The girl was assaulted inside of her room and fought with Gallegos before he fled, officials said.

After reviewing digital, forensic and physical evidence, Gallegos was arrested on Oct. 19, officials said.

He was booked and charged with burglary, assault, attempting kidnapping, and child abuse, officials said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 970-522-3512, police said.

Sterling is about a 130-mile drive northeast from Denver.

This story was originally published October 21, 2024 at 2:05 PM with the headline "8-year-old fights off attempted kidnapper in her bedroom, Colorado officials say."