HOUSTON, Texas — A 41-year-old man with a lengthy criminal history has been arrested and charged in the attempted kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl who was riding her electric scooter in a Houston neighborhood earlier this week.
Stanley Dotson was charged with felony attempted kidnapping after allegedly grabbing the girl and trying to drag her away, according to Harris County court records.
Terrifying Encounter Ends with Victim’s Escape
According to prosecutors, the young girl noticed Dotson staring at her, making her feel uneasy. Moments later, he allegedly followed her on foot, grabbed her right arm, and attempted to pull her away by force.
“The male then began following her on foot and proceeded to grab her right arm and pull her towards him, and tried to drag her with him forcefully without her consent,” the court records state.
The girl managed to break free after falling to the ground and screaming for help. Dotson reportedly fled the scene on foot.
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Eyewitnesses and Father Speak Out
Her father, Pedro Basulto, told media that his daughter had been riding with a 9-year-old friend at the time of the attack.
“Thank God, I don’t know why destiny didn’t want me to find him because bad things would have happened,” Basulto said in Spanish.
Multiple witnesses reportedly confirmed the girl’s account to investigators.
Tipster Identifies Suspect Through Social Media
On Wednesday, investigators received an anonymous tip that led them to a Facebook profile believed to belong to Dotson. Authorities then presented a photo array to the victim and a witness, who both positively identified Dotson as the suspect.
Repeat Offender With Extensive Arrest History
Court records show Dotson has been arrested at least 26 times since 2008. Despite his extensive criminal background, it is unclear how many of those arrests led to convictions or time served.
Dotson was arrested by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and is currently being held in the Harris County Jail. His bail is set at $100,000.
Sheriff Issues Public Call for More Information
“If this defendant has attempted this elsewhere, we’d like to know. Please contact us at 832-927-2795,” said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez in a statement on Facebook.
The case has reignited concerns about public safety and the system’s handling of repeat offenders in violent crimes involving children.
