NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Police are looking for a man after his 11-year-old stepdaughter says he punched in the face and stuffed her into a trunk.
US Marshals are helping Newport News police look for Alvin Franklin.
The search continues for Franklin, 31, after his stepdaughter described the punishment he allegedly gave her.
The alleged incident happened on June 30 when two went crabbing off of 16th Street in Newport News.
Records state Franklin got angry after the little girl ate candy.
The girl said he punched her in the face, threw her into the trunk of a car and then strangled her.
People in Newport News are horrified by the accusations.
Newport News resident Kaden Vann said, “Beating on a child for eating candy. There really has to be something wrong with you in the head to do that. ”
Records state witnesses came to the girl's rescue after they heard her yelling and saw her running through a backyard, jumping over fences. According to court records, she was screaming that someone was trying to kill her.
Neighbors brought the 11-year-old to the Riverside Regional Medical Center, where she received x-rays and other tests.
News 3 went to Franklin's last known address, but a woman told us that she just moved in and does not know him.
Newport News resident Milton Hill said, “Someone like that needs to be taken care of.”
It has been week since the alleged attack and no one has been arrested.
“No child deserves to be beaten like that,” said Vann.
Public affairs officials would only confirm that the Department of Human Services has been involved in the case, but would not say whether the 11-year-old girl was safe, citing confidentiality rules.
If you know any information that can help police, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Crime Line callers remain anonymous and never appear in court. If a Crime Line call results in an arrest, the caller is eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
