PHOENIX, AZ ? A fierce 9-year-old girl fought off an attacker who grabbed her outside a Phoenix apartment complex, emerging physically unscathed from the frightening encounter ? and with enough DNA evidence to connect him to the assault, authorities said.
Phoenix police said that as a result of the girl's bravery, they were able to track down William Buford Jr., who is being held on $250,000 bond in the Maricopa County Jail. He faces charges of kidnapping, molestation of a child, aggravated assault on a minor and criminal trespassing, according to jail records.
Police said the girl was on her way to a friend's apartment unit on July 7 when Buford grabbed her as she neared the complex gymnasium, took her into the women's restroom inside the gym and locked the door, pushed her down, and covered her mouth with his hands.
The girl wasn't about to submit. When she fought back, she scratched Buford's face, neck, chest and shoulder, picking up his DNA under her fingernails, according to court documents.
Buford fled, but was arrested July 15 after the DNA evidence was collected.
Buford, who is homeless, told investigators that he was handing out bottled water and money to children and adults in the neighborhood and he chased the girl down for taking more than one bottle, according to court documents.
Investigators said Buford claimed the girl "swung her hand at him" when he tried to take back the water bottle and that's how he ended up with the scratch on his neck.