A brave father rescued his 11-year-old daughter from a terrifying situation in Queens park when a man attempted to snatch her and sexually assault her while they were riding their bikes. The incident took place in Forest Park near Myrtle Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard, where the father and daughter were biking together. The girl rode ahead of her father and veered off the main path, leading her into a more secluded area of the park called Victory Field.
It was there that Teddy Moussignac, 44, emerged from the bushes and knocked the girl off her bike. He covered her nose and mouth, threatened her, and started dragging her away. He reportedly told her, “If you scream, I’ll kill you. I just need help with something.” Moussignac, a resident of Brooklyn, then punched the girl as she tried to escape and began fondling her.
Fortunately, the girl’s father caught up to them, saw what was happening, and intervened. He shouted and ran over to stop the attack, causing Moussignac to flee. However, he was apprehended shortly after by two police officers in the area. Moussignac was charged with kidnapping, sex abuse of a victim under 13, criminal obstruction of breathing, forcible touching of intimate parts, endangering the welfare of a child, assault, and harassment.
The young victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital for injuries sustained during the assault. This terrifying incident has left the community on edge, with one local parent expressing concern about the safety of the more remote areas of the park. Brandon Ziegenfuss, a resident who has raised his children in a nearby apartment complex, mentioned encountering “crazy people” in those areas and being constantly vigilant.
Ziegenfuss also pointed out a perceived disparity in police attention, noting that law enforcement seemed more focused on protecting the upscale areas of the park near Forest Hills. Despite these challenges, he acknowledged the unfortunate reality of the situation, stating, “That’s the way the world works. What are you going to do?”
The heroic actions of the father in rescuing his daughter serve as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and looking out for one another in public spaces.
