Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Seven-year-old Kidnapped in Philadelphia

Aired July 23, 2002 - 14:11   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Just a week after Samantha Runnion was kidnapped, another girl was missing. Witnesses say 7-year-old Erica Pratt was snatched outside her grandmother's home yesterday in Philadelphia.

Esther Miller from CNN affiliate KYW has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ESTHER MILLER, KYW REPORTER (voice-over): Detectives, FBI, and hostage negotiators surrounded this home in the 6000 block of (UNINTELLIGIBLE). All are on the lookout for 7-year-old Erica Pratt, who was abducted outside her grandmother's home...

SARINA GILLIS, ERICA'S MOTHER: I hope they burn in hell. Excuse me, but I really do because she's a little girl. She has nothing to do with anything or any ammunition they got against anybody.

MILLER: Erica's mother, Sarina Gillis, says she doesn't know who could have taken Erica. Police say the only witness is a 5-year-old girl who was walking with Erica and saw it all happen.

WILLIAM COLARLILO, PHILADELPHIA POLICE: A heavy-set African- American male wearing a T-shirt and a baseball cap jumped out of the passenger's side vehicle, Grabbed Erica and literally carried her to the car as the driver was shouting, Come on, let's go.

MILLER: Just 15 minutes later, police say, the abductors called the grandmother's home more than an half dozen time, while police searched for a white Buick or Oldsmobile with a broken gas cap.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The first call said, We want $150, or else we're going to kill your granddaughter. Since then, they've received up to seven phone calls.

MILLER: By daylight, the ransom was up to $150,000 ransom. Neighbors say this is all unthinkable.

WANDA WEBB, NEIGHBOR: It's just so hard to believe because she's always being watched. I just can't believe it.

VIKKI TRICE, NEIGHBOR: She plays with my granddaughter next door. And they're often walking up and down the street together hand and hand. It could have been Elisa (ph). (END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: That was Esther Miller reporting from CNN affiliate KYW.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com