Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Man arrested for tackling, trying to abduct 7-year-old on downtown street

Daniel Jason Summers has been arrested for second-degree kidnapping, assault on child under 12, and assault resist/delay/obstruct public officers. (Courtesy NHCSO)

WILMINGTON — A male suspect has been arrested for an attempted abduction of a 7-year-old girl on Front Street early evening on Friday, Jan. 2.

The Wilmington Police Department have arrested Daniel Jason Summers and charged him with felony second-degree kidnapping, misdemeanor assault on child under 12, and misdemeanor assault resist/delay/obstruct public officers. The 44-year-old was to make his first appearance in court on Monday, but it was rescheduled to Tuesday.

The Wrightsville Beach man was arrested after his alleged involvement in incident on Friday around 5:23 p.m. Officers with the Wilmington Police Department’s Downtown Task Force responded to a call to 9 N. Front St.

A report came in of a man restraining another individual, the latter of whom officers later identified as Summers. WPD detailed Summers grabbed a 7-year-old girl and forced her to the ground, while the father of the victim attempted to pull her attacker off. Arrest warrants state Summers was “unlawfully confining the victim, restraining the victim without the consent of the victim’s parent or legal guardian.”

A nearby individual intervened to assist; however, the child was able to crawl away during the struggle.

Officers arrived as Summers was holding down the girl and took him into custody without further incident. He is in the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center without bond.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Wilmington Police Department or submit tips anonymously through Tip 411.


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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