A 5-year-old girl was snatched from a Lincolnia playground and sexually assaulted on Sunday night, police say, and the search is on for a suspect.

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Fairfax County Police say the assault happened between 7 and 8 p.m. Sunday at a playground in the 4900 block of Manitoba Drive. Police say that the suspect took her into the basement of a nearby building and sexually assaulted her.

The unspeakable act has left parents stunned.

"A 5-year-old child?...That's just crazy...so sad.," said parent Michael Walsh.

In a complex with so many families, investigators fear the suspect might have gone unnoticed.

"The sight of a man holding the hand of a 5-year-old little girl might not ring alarm bells at first," said Officer Bud Walker with Fairfax County Police.
"Hopefully by learning this was an abduction and attack,...people might put two and two together."

Monday, detectives were back at the scene distributing fliers and canvassing neighbors in the hopes any small clue will help them catch the predator.

Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic man of medium height with an average-to-heavy build. He has black hair and was wearing a white, long-sleeved button down shirt and dark pants at the time.

It's unclear whether the 5-year-old was being supervised at the time, but parents say it's a cautionary tale.

"You know how the world is now...it's a dangerous place," said parent Eric Tanchez. "...can't leave your kids out playing by themselves."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers or Fairfax County Police at (703) 691-2131.