Teen Girl Used Tree Branch To Escape Sexual Assault

CHICAGO — A 15-year-old girl used a tree branch to ward off an attacker who police say sexually assaulted and stabbed her in the city's Morgan Park neighborhood Sunday. The girl, according to police, was first approached by the man near 116th and Halsted around 1 p.m. and was talked into accompanying the man to a secluded wooded area several blocks away near 108th and Bishop.

Police say that after the man and girl arrived at 108th and Bishop, the man grabbed her from behind, pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her. He also used a fixed blade kitchen knife to stab her, according to police. He finally fled after the teen defended herself with a tree branch.

The attacker is described by police as a black man between 19 and 25 years old, 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing 125 to 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black "Jordan" zip up sweatshirt, blue jeans and Nike tennis shoes.

A surveillance image of who police believe to be the attacker is shared above.