Police are investigating after a child reportedly told adults they were grabbed by a masked man in a Lexington backyard Thursday afternoon.

The possible child abduction attempt occurred in a backyard on Wood Street around 2:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Lexington police say.

The nine-year-old girl told adults she was playing outside when she was grabbed from behind and had a hand placed over her mouth.

The girl’s mother, Ashley, did not want to provide her last name but said her daughter kicked the man and got away.

“He was hiding basically in the back, so I don’t know what he was planning on doing but it’s just kinda creepy to know that there’s someone in your backyard hiding,” said Ashley. “She heard what was like some sticks breaking in the back and I’m pretty sure she thought it was deer because we have a lot of deer, and she went towards the middle of my backyard and she didn’t see anything, so she was walking back over here and someone grabbed her from behind and she kicked them and she got away.”

Ashley told Boston 25 her daughter is traumatized from the experience.

“She’s a little freaked out, we all are,” said Ashley. “I guess I’m panicking a little bit.”

Lexington Police are investigating the incident and officials say details are being shared with other local detective groups.

“If anyone was in the area at the time and saw something out of the ordinary, please contact the Lexington Police Department,” a statement from the police department and town officials read.

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