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CNN Live At Daybreak

Abduction of Young Girl Ends Happily

Aired July 24, 2002 - 05:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: As we mentioned a few minutes ago, for a change the abduction of a young girl has ended happily.

We get the story now from Sharon Crowley of our Philadelphia affiliate, WTXF.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHARON CROWLEY, WTXF CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 7-year-old Erica Pratt sucks on a lollipop in an unmarked police car. The little girl was kidnapped Monday night while walking down the street outside her Southwest Philadelphia home. Police say her captors brought her to this home in Northwest Philadelphia at 12th and Louden Streets. Investigators say the child was locked in the basement, her hands and feet bound with duct tape.

But a few hours ago, the little girl managed to break free on her own. Police say she pushed the screen out of an open window on the first floor and called for help. Two boys walking by helped the little girl out of the window then called police.

SERINA GILLIS, MISSING GIRL'S MOTHER: I'm very happy that my daughter is home. I'm very happy.

CROWLEY: Erica's mother, family and neighbors rejoiced at the news their little girl was found safe.

GILLIS: We're happy. Everybody's happy.

CROWLEY: The search continues for the two prime suspects in this case, James Burns and Edward Johnson, both of Philadelphia and both with long rap sheets for drug arrests.

INSP. WILLIAM COLARULO, PHILADELPHIA POLICE: We have information to believe that these two gentlemen may have further information regarding Erica's whereabouts and the conditions of her abduction.

CROWLEY: Erica's captors made half a dozen calls in the last 24 hours demanding a ransom of $150,000. Sources say Erica might have been a pawn in a drug war between rivals. And her capture, it might have been retaliation for the murder of her uncle a few months ago.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: That report from Sharon Crowley of CNN affiliate WTXF in Philadelphia.

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