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Man convicted of attempted abduction told girl to ‘come ride with me’

Posted at 7:10 PM, Jan 15, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-15 19:10:25-05

Earl Manning Jr.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. (WTVR) – A 40-year-old Colonial Heights man has been convicted of trying to abduct a 7-year-old girl.

Colonial Heights Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Elizabeth L. Fields said in a news release Tuesday that Earl Manning Jr. was convicted of one count of Abduction with Intent to Defile.

Fields said that Manning was riding his bike by a house in Colonial Heights when he approached two children playing on March 28, 2012.

According to the child’s testimony Monday in the Circuit Court, Manning told the girl to “come ride with me, we aren’t coming back.” 

Fields said that was when Manning grabbed the girl’s arm and pulled her toward his bike. 

However, the girl was able to pull away with help from her aunt and mother, according to Fields.

The girl’s mother and aunt “physically removed” Manning from the property, called the cops and Manning was arrested.

 “Justice was done in this case,” Fields said.”Anyone in Colonial Heights who puts their hands on a child with the intent to harm them will be held responsible”.

Manning was also convicted for a Felony Assault and Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer and sentenced to six months of mandatory jail time.

Manning, who is scheduled to be sentenced for the abduction charge on April 16, faces up to life in prison.