The suspect approached the girl on Saturday around 7 p.m. and told her that he had to "save her," then followed the girl until she was placed in her mother's lap, who was sitting outside of a restaurant, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The exact location of the incident was not disclosed by police.

The suspect, identified as Evan McLaurin-Nelson, 31, reached for the child, but was pushed away by a member of the victim's family. Nelson tried to grab the girl again, but was taken down by a family member, who wrestled with Nelson on the ground until LAPD Pacific Division officers arrived and took Nelson into custody, police said.