8-Year-Old Girl Choked To Unconsciousness by Man in Women's Bathroom: Cops

Police in Chicago have arrested a man they say choked a little girl to unconsciousness in the women's room of a restaurant.

Reese Hartstirn, 33, was allegedly in a deli in the city's South Loop neighborhood last weekend when police say he followed an 8-year-old girl into the restroom after she'd been separated from her mother.

Inside, a parent's worst nightmare unfolded as police say Hartstirn choked the girl until she went limp and proceeded to drag her into a stall.

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Police told CBS Chicago that the girl was able to let out a scream before losing consciousness and that her mother then came running into the restroom, where she allegedly saw Hartstirn closing the stall door behind him.

Police said Hartstirn pushed the girl's mother when she tried to rescue her, and other customers at the store helped detain the man until police arrived, CBS reports.

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The little girl was taken to a children's hospital for treatment.

Hartstirn also allegedly took a swing at a Chicago police officer while he was being booked at a police station.

Hartstirn was charged with aggravated kidnapping of a child as well as other charges.

Jail records indicate Hartstirn is being held without bail. His next court date is May 16.

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