‘Grab the f—ing kid’: Couple allegedly tried to lure 9-year-old from her own front yard into van, woman punched father who intervened

Michael Diaz and Taiana Carla Tersano tried to lure a 9-year-old girl into their van, police said. (Mug shots: Broward County Sheriff’s Office)

A couple is accused of trying to lure a 9-year-old girl into their van in broad daylight in front of her own father. Michael Diaz, 34, and Taiana Carla Tersano, 32, face a count each of luring and enticing a child, and causing a child to become delinquent.

The victim was playing in her front yard on Friday afternoon in Hollywood, Florida, while her father sat in a nearby car, and her mother was inside the residence, according to witness statements.

The dad told police he saw the suspect van pull up in front of the yard and the female suspect, later identified as Tersano, step out and approach his daughter.

He exited his car and immediately intervened, leading to an altercation where Tersano spat in his face and punched him, police said.

“She then made another attempt to approach [redacted] and [redacted] advised he struck her in the face in self defense,” documents wrote.

A driver at a nearby stop sign backed up the story, according to documents.

“He stated he observed both parties screaming at [redacted],” authorities wrote. “He then stated he witnessed the female exit the van and approach [the child] in an aggressive manner but was stopped by [redacted]. The witness then exited his vehicle and tried to deescalate the situation but had negative results. He then stated he observed the white female spit on [redacted] and strike him with a closed fist.”

“Grab the f—ing kid,” the male suspect allegedly said.

The female suspect made another aggressive approach, but she was foiled again and ran back into the van and the suspects fled, according to documents.