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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Girl in park rescued by neighbor

An 11-year-old girl begged a neighbor for help Tuesday night in Coeur d’Alene Park as a man held on to her and wouldn’t let go. The woman said she was with her family in the Browne’s Addition park around 7 p.m. when she saw the 11-year-old, whom she knew. A man had used both his hands to grab one of her hands and the woman said the girl looked terrified and mouthed the words “Help me,” according to court documents. The woman ran over and yelled at the man, who was speaking Spanish. He left the area but was quickly tracked down by police in front of a nearby grocery store. The girl told police that she tried to pull away from the man but he only gripped her harder, according to court documents. She said she didn’t know what he wanted but was afraid that he was trying to take her from the park. Jose L. Jimenes, 42, is in the Spokane County Jail facing a charge of unlawful imprisonment. He was ordered held on $50,000 bond during a brief court appearance Wednesday afternoon.