Teen narrowly escapes alleged kidnapping attempt at Alabama grocery store

Heather Knight's worst nightmare as a parent became a reality on January 1st when her teenage daughter narrowly escaped an alleged kidnapping attempt. The suspect, Yordy Centeno Melchor, a 31-year-old Mexican national who had been deported six times previously, is facing charges of second-degree attempted kidnapping and is being held on a $100,000 bond in Elmore County, Alabama.

Knight's daughter was at a grocery store in Holtville when a vehicle pulled up to her. The suspect, Melchor, tried to speak to her, but she couldn't understand him due to a language barrier. He then held out his phone and typed a message offering her $200 to get in his car.

The teenager initially thought the suspect needed help, but when he pulled up the "notes" section on his phone and typed a message offering her $200 to get in his vehicle, she knew something was wrong. As the interaction was taking place, a local youth pastor intervened, and Melchor allegedly fled the scene.

Days later, officials stopped a vehicle resembling the one involved in the alleged attempted kidnapping. They ran its license plate and determined that it matched the suspect's vehicle. The driver, Melchor, also matched the suspect's description.

Officials identified the suspect and his prior deportations. They initially said Melchor was deported five times, but an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official told the National News Desk that Melchor had actually been deported six times since 2013 and twice convicted in two federal cases.

Knight is thankful to local law enforcement and her community members that look out for each other. She is also thankful that her daughter was unharmed.