A Cincinnati firefighter accused of snatching a 7-year-old girl from an Avondale sidewalk in an abduction attempt last month has resigned.
Maurice Young, 40, of Silverton, an 18-year veteran of the fire division, was indicted last week on charges of kidnapping, attempted rape, felonious assault, possession of criminal tools and attempting to use a minor in nudity-oriented material. He had been suspended pending the outcome of the case.
According to court records, he told police he planned to take the girl to his home and take nude pictures of her.
In a statement the fire division released Monday, his colleagues said the incident damaged the public's trust of its firefighters. Fire Chief Robert Wright "needs to make it clear that Mr. Young's act did not exploit the power of his public position as a firefighter," the statement said.
"He was not acting within his capacity as a firefighter when the event took place. Rather, his act was a failure of the public's trust and expectation that everyone in this community will conduct oneself in a lawful and respectful fashion. To do otherwise attacks our community's deepest values and beliefs."
If convicted, Mr. Young could be sentenced to more than 50 years in prison.
