Kidnapped Philadelphia Girl Found Safe On Street
Police Confirm Ransom Calls In Philadelphia Case
UPDATED: 9:39 p.m. EDT July 23, 2002
PHILADELPHIA -- In a remarkable story, a group of children rescued 7-year-old Erica Pratt by
breaking into the house where she was held for over 22 hours.
Lt. Michael Chitwood of the Philadelphia police said that Pratt had been tied up in a house at 1205 Louden Street. She somehow was
able to get loose and started yelling for help. A group of children got onto the porch and broke a window to get her out.
She was taken to Children's Hospital for evaluation and hospital officials said she was in good condition.
Police said Tuesday afternoon that they were looking for two men they believed may have information regarding the circumstances
surrounding Erica's disappearance.
William Colarulo, a Philadelphia police inspector,
said that officials wanted to question James Burns, approximately 29 years old, and Edward Johnson, approximately 23 years old.
Colarulo said the two men were only wanted for
questioning.
The FBI, Philadelphia police and the attorney
general's office are working together on the case. The investigation is expected to continue, so anyone with information about the case is asked to call the FBI command center at (215) 418-4000, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Police said that Erica was abducted at 9:40 p.m. Monday night from a corner in the
Kingsessing neighborhood near the Mount Moriah Cemetery.
The child's grandmother, Barbara Pratt, got a phone call about 20 minutes after the abduction
demanding $150,000 for the girl's return, Colarulo said.
"A specific amount of money was requested and they had the phone number to call this
particular residence," said Colarulo.
The girl's mother, Sarina Freeman, said that the last time she heard her daughter's voice was
when the abductors put her on the phone Monday night at about 11 p.m.
"She sounded scared ... I just told her I loved her," Freeman said.
Colarulo said that police don't believe the kidnapping was random. They said they are looking
into the possibility that the kidnapping may be related the death of Erica's uncle in March.
Sources tell WCAU-TV in Philadelphia that Joseph Pratt was gunned down in his car in a
drug-related shooting. Police are checking on a possible insurance policy.
Police said Pratt was forced into a large white car by a heavy-set male with a big stomach,
wearing a white T-shirt and baseball cap.
The car was driven by another male, whose description is unknown. Police said the pair fled
west on Kingsessing Avenue.
Police said the car was possibly an older model white Cadillac with darkly tinted windows, and
the Pennsylvania license plate may end with either 392 or 394. Police said that they have
recovered a vehicle fitting the description at 21st and Morris Streets. They were not sure if it
was the same vehicle that was used in the abduction.
The Citizens Crime Commission is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the
arrest and conviction of the people responsible. Commission representatives said that to be
eligible for the reward, information must be called into the Crime Commission tipline at (215)
546-TIPS, and the caller must receive a code number from the operator.
Freeman pleaded for Erica's safe return.
"All I want them to do is treat her with care. Do not harm her," Freeman said Tuesday. "She's
only 7. She's just beginning her life."
Residents of this rowhouse neighborhood said many of the adults were down the street at a
block party when Erica was taken.
Related Resources:
Philadelphia police report on Erica Pratt kidnapping
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