A family holiday to London turned into a nightmare for the parents of a nine-year-old French girl, who became separated from them outside Harrods.
The parents, who were mesmerized by the size and grandeur of the historic department store, momentarily lost track of their daughter.
As they entered Harrods, the parents didn’t realize their child had fallen behind, leading to a terrifying ordeal.
Panic Sets In as Child Disappears
Within minutes, panic gripped the family as they realized their daughter was missing.
The father rushed inside the store while the mother searched the street outside, hoping to find her.
Harrods staff, upon being alerted, immediately checked their CCTV and assisted the family.
Police were called, and when they arrived, they showed the worried parents a disturbing image: their daughter walking away with a man they did not recognize.
The sight of the photo intensified the father’s fears, making him realize this was more than just a case of a lost child.
He shared with the court how the photo made him think his daughter might have been abducted.
The mother, deeply shaken, struggled to stay calm for the sake of their other children.
Staff Witness Father’s Breakdown
Harrods employees who assisted the family recounted the father’s distress.
One described seeing him on the verge of a mental breakdown, visibly crying at times.
Meanwhile, the staff worked to support the family, translating for them and offering reassurance as the search for the child continued.
The Abductor: A Former US Air Force Captain
CCTV footage revealed that the man seen leading the child away was Robert Prussak, a 57-year-old former US Air Force captain.
After initially walking past the girl, who was searching for her parents, Prussak returned and used a translation app to communicate with her.
He then led her to a serviced apartment at Chelsea Cloisters, where she was kept for almost two hours.
During her testimony, the girl revealed that she drank two glasses of water offered by Prussak, noting the water tasted “bitter” and made her feel drowsy.
She also shared disturbing details of what happened at the apartment and a nearby park.
Arrest and Trial of the Alleged Abductor
The ordeal ended when Prussak dropped the girl off at Kensington Fire Station.
Unable to enter the locked building, the girl ran back to him, only to be intercepted by armed police who arrested the former pilot.
Prussak, who appeared in court via video link, denies the charges against him, including three counts of sexual assault, kidnapping, and administering a sedative with intent.
The trial continues as more details emerge from both the family and those involved in the case.
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