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Michael McQuay broke into Growing Adventures Daycare and assaulted a 5-year-old girl Wednesday just after 5 p.m.

(Wesley Robinson)

Damage from a man trying to break in to a local daycare was not immediately visible from the main entrance of Growing Adventures Childcare, but the daycare will remain closed until Monday.

An employee with the daycare said the business would be closed until then as a result of the break-in and an assault on a 5-year-old girl. She declined to further comment on the incident and said police have handled the matter.

Michael McQuay, 27, of Harrisburg, was charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, three counts of reckless endangerment, burglary, unlawful restraint, and public drunkenness as a result of the attack.

McQuay smashed through the glass door of Growing Adventures Daycare and put the girl in a "bear hug," along the 2000 block of Market Street, just after 5 p.m. Wednesday, police said. A man, only identified as a "good Samaritan," followed McQuay into the daycare center and tried to wrestle the child from his grasp.

Diana Fishlock, a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Human Services, said in an email that situations like this are rare. She said most daycares have security systems to prevent people from entering, but state regulations do not require any specific system.

"I suggest parents talk with their child care provider about what safety measures they have in place at their facility," Fishlock said.

Fishlock said many facilities have a code or card to permit access, while others may simply have a bell or buzzer to get into the building. She said regulation requires that children be released only to parents or people designated in writing after being verified by staff.

It's unclear what specific security system is used for Growing Adventures Childcare, but McQuay smashed through glass to gain entry into the building regardless.

Police said McQuay used synthetic marijuana prior to the incident. He is being held in Dauphin County Prison on $500,000 bail, according to court records.