An Alpharetta man was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison after he attacked a child and waved a knife at her at a Cobb County mall last year.
Danzell Mitchell, 28, threatened the 12-year-old girl in a food court bathroom at Town Center at Cobb in 2018, according to Cobb County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Kim Isaza.
The victim was able to free herself from Mitchell and run to her father for help, Isaza said.
She then pointed out Mitchell, who tried to escape but was tackled and restrained by a shopper until police arrived, AJC.com previously reported.
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The father of the victim previously described the attack to Channel 2 Action News.
"He grabbed her and pulled her to him and held her with one arm and then took the other hand and put a knife up to her throat,” the father told Channel 2. “He told her to be quiet and began to cover her mouth while she screamed."
Mitchell was found guilty of false imprisonment, aggravated assault and cruelty to children in the first degree, according to Isaza. He will serve 25 years in prison and another 25 years on probation.
“What happened to this child is every parent’s worst nightmare; however, the victim’s bravery in the face of her attacker led to her escape and, ultimately, her safety,” Senior ADA Courtney Veal said. “We are hopeful this resolution will provide the closure needed for the family’s healing and send the message that preying on and harming children in our community will not be tolerated.”
Mitchell also faces charges in Fulton County for allegedly attacking a woman in 2017 at an Alpharetta park, Isaza said.
ALSO: Man tied to Cobb mall attack now charged pregnant woman's assault in Alpharetta.
During that alleged attack, Mitchell held a knife to the woman and forced her behind a horse stable before assaulting her.
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