An 11-year-old girl in Vancouver, Washington, escaped an attempted kidnapping on December 15, 2025, by kicking her assailant in the groin and fleeing to safety. Jerson Hartman, a 31-year-old from Twin Falls, Idaho, was arrested that day by Vancouver Police on charges of second-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree attempted robbery, and possession of a controlled substance.​
Incident Overview
The girl was walking home from soccer practice around 5:30 p.m. when Hartman, wearing a ski mask, grabbed her elbow, demanded she come with him, and took her phone after she screamed for help. She wrestled free, delivered a forceful kick to his groin, and ran to a nearby apartment, where police noted red marks on her wrists upon arrival.​
Suspect Details
Hartman pled not guilty at his arraignment this week and remains in custody on $50,000 bail, with a court return on January 20, 2026, and trial set for February 9. Police found methamphetamine on him during arrest, and the girl identified him from a photo lineup.
