The girl's head was repeatedly pounded against a tree, all of this happening in broad daylight. Despite her injuries, she's been able to talk to investigators.
On Tuesday night, police have beefed up patrols in this Orland Hills neighborhood, where residents feel shaken. The victim remains hospitalized in Oak Lawn, but her brother spoke with ABC7 Eyewitness News.
"It's pretty scary, especially in a good neighborhood. And somebody just comes and tries to take her," said Zied, victim's brother.
Thirteen-year-old Zied says it was his younger sister who was attacked about a block from the family's home. His 12-year-old sibling was left battered and emotionally traumatized.
"She doesn't really remember anything, me or our whole family. She's just confused, doesn't really know what to do," said Zied.
Police say the girl had just left her school bus around 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, when a man wearing a ski mask and gloves tried to pull her into a car driven by another man in a ski mask.
When the girl fought back, she was beaten against a tree.
"She claims that he struck her several times in the abdomen with her book bag and then hit her head several times into the tree that was there," said Chief Thomas Scully, Orland Hills Police Department.
When the men first began following her, police say the girl called 911. The call cut out, but police gained a location and officers found her lying in neighbor Alan Miller's front yard.
"Normally we have a quiet neighborhood. Nothing really happens. (And for this to happen?) It's a shock. It's devastating," said Alan Miller, Orland Hills resident.
The alleged victim is a 7th grader at nearby Prairie View Middle School. Police are now increasing patrols around several school bus routes.
Zied says he normally takes the bus with his sister, but on Monday, he had an after-school activity.
"If I was with her, the guy wouldn't even get her because you know that I would fight back," said Zied.
She was taken to Palos Community Hospital by ambulance and transferred to Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. She was in shock, but her injuries are not life-threatening, officials said.
Police have only a vague description of the two ski mask-wearing men, who are believed to be in their late teens or 20s. The girl told police they were driving a small red car.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Orland Hills Police Department at (708) 349-4434.
