An 11-year-old "Law & Order: SVU" fan — whose fight to keep from being snatched by a kidnapper made national headlines — was ecstatic this week when she got to meet the show's star, Mariska Hargitay.
"I’m so incredibly honored to meet you," the actor told Alyssa Bonal during a remote conversation Friday on "Today."
"I just want to tell you how blown away me and all of my squad are and I think the whole world right now that you had the forethought and the wherewithal to do what you did and I am just blown away," Hargitay continued.
The attempted kidnapping took place on Tuesday. Alyssa was standing by a bus stop, playing with homemade blue slime, when a man pulled over his car, jumped out, and grabbed her by the arm, according to People. He then attempted to drag her to his car, but Alyssa was able to fight him off. He fled the scene, but not before she smeared slime onto his arms. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office later confirmed that they had arrested a 30-year-old suspect, Jared Paul Stanga, who had slime on his arms.
"I knew that that might be better evidence if the cops do find him," Alyssa told "Today." She explained that the idea to smear slime over Stanga's arms came from watching episodes of "SVU," adding that she was proud of herself and thought Hargitay's character, Detective Olivia Benson, would have told her, "Good job!"
Speaking with Alyssa Friday, Hargitay applauded her for her bravery.
"You’re amazing, sweetheart. You’re amazing. And strong and brave," she said. "And what’s most important to everyone is that you’re OK and that is the most beautiful gift that we all have."
Hargitay also praised Alyssa in an Instagram post.
"Alyssa, first and most important, I am so relieved and grateful to know that you are safe. And I am so honored to be part of your incredible story," she wrote. "You are one BRAVE, Strong and Smart young woman. I think the SVU squad might have to add slime to their crimefighting gear! Take good care of yourself and each other. With all my love, your number one fan, Mariska."
“It’s amazing to meet you," Alyssa told Hargitay during their virtual meeting. "I never thought in my whole entire life that I was going to be able to even meet you."
Stanga, 30, has been charged with the attempted kidnapping of a child under 13 and aggravated assault and battery. He is being held on just over $1.5 million bond.
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Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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