A man accused of trying to abduct a 10-year-old girl outside STEM Launch in Thornton pleaded guilty to kidnapping and was sentenced to eight years in prison, according to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Diego James Gettler, 30, was arrested on Sept. 26, 2022, in Parker after police say he tried to abduct a student outside the school at 9450 Pecos St. on Sept. 23, 2022.
According to the district attorney’s office, Gettler was dressed in all black and wearing a mask when he grabbed the girl and tried to restrain her shortly after she was dropped off at school.
The girl fought back and pulled down his mask, startling Gettler and causing him to run away, the district attorney’s office said in a news release Tuesday.
Gettler pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping, a felony, on Jan. 9 and was sentenced by District Court Judge Sharon Holbrook on Feb. 27, according to court records.
In a statement, District Attorney Brian Mason described Gettler’s actions as unspeakable and outrageous.
“We can only imagine the evil intent this man had were he to have fully succeeded in completing his plan,” Mason said. “Thankfully, this young girl’s courage and quick thinking won the day.”
Gettler was represented by the Office of the State Public Defender, which does not comment on cases.
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