JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The father and grandparents of the 8-year-old girl who was brutally beaten, attacked and raped in Arlington one week ago helped MAD DADS canvass the area where the attack took place in hopes that someone would have information that would lead to the arrest of a suspect.
Surrounded by a community wanting justice, the grandmother of the little girl shared her feelings about what happened and her one wish.
"I'm furious, you took my granddaughter. You hurt her. You hurt the whole family," she said. "I just want to catch this beast, the man who did this to my granddaughter. He's a beast."
MAD DADS volunteers were out Monday night knocking on doors in the area of the attack, hoping to get justice for the little girl who her grandparents said always brought a smile to their faces.
"She is sweet, she is lovable, she is an outgoing person. She loves to color, she loves to color. She loves to swim and swing and animals," her grandfather said.
The 8-year-old's father was also knocking on doors, determined to deliver a message to the man who attacked and sexually assaulted his little girl.
"We're not going to stop. We're going to finish. So you might as well turn yourself in man. Straight up! We ain't going to stop looking. We ain't going to stop looking," her father said.
As MAD DADS canvassed the area one woman offered police a tip, one of the leads that the girl's father hopes will help land the attacker in jail.
"Please speak out! Please say something. If you got a heart, if you got a mama, if you have a daughter. If you love anyone, if you have a heart, please say something. Come forward! Come forward and say something!" the father pleaded.
MAD DADS and the little girl's family also used the canvassing to remind parents to be vigilant about their kids whereabouts since school is about to begin.
"This is bigger than Jacksonville, Florida, this is our kids. This is going on everywhere, we need to find him!" her father said. "Your child could be next and we need to prevent this! And we need to come together before something like this happens again!"
Donald Foy with MAD DADS was also handing out fliers Monday in the hope that someone would be able to offer information about the man who changed the life of a little girl forever.
"We know someone knows something and we want them to call in so we can get this animal off the street," Foy said.
In the end, the girl's family said they are confident the attacker will be caught; it's just a matter of time.
"Daddy loves you, we all love you!" her father said. "I'm going to work with the police and everyone that I can and we're going to find (that man)."
Tips can be given anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS where a $6,000 reward is available for tips leading to an arrest.
There will also be a safety seminar offered Tuesday night at the Karate Arts center on 7801 Lone Star Road. The Stranger Danger and Safety Awareness seminar will teach kids self-defense techniques, give a safety checklist for kids, and other valuable information. For more details, call the center at 904-722-0110.