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SUMTER, S.C. (WACH) - The Sumter Police Department is investigating an attempted child abduction they say occurred Monday evening.

Police say a black female tried to take a 2-year-old girl who was playing in the yard of a home on Flamingo Road around 5:30 p.m. Monday. The child's mother saw what was happening and ran to get her daughter. She took the child inside and notified law enforcement.

Authorities describe the suspect as a black female between 30 and 40 years of age that is approximately 5-foot-7-inches tall and weighs around 175 pounds. She was last seen wearing all black clothing with her hair in a ponytail.

Police say the suspect was last seen at the intersection of Flamingo Road and Plowden Mill Road running toward Boulevard Road.

Detectives believe the female suspect had been seen in the area previously before the incident. Anyone with information on the identity of the female suspect is asked to contact the Sumter Police Department at (803) 436-2717 or Crime Stoppers (803) 436-2718 or 1-888-CRIMESC.  You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward.

Sumter Police encourage all parents and guardians to follow these simple steps to reduce the chance of child abduction:

• Always keep children within eye sight

• Do not leave children unattended

• Teach children to never talk to a stranger; run away and tell a trusted adult

• Teach children never to answer the door or tell callers when they are home alone

• Teach children not to give out personal information (i.e. Name, Address,) to someone they don’t know

• Keep a recent photo or video of your child for law enforcement if your child becomes missing

• Invest in fingerprint/DNA kit to assist investigators

• Know potential risks living in your area; visit www.sled.sc.gov (click on sex offender registry) to find out if sex offenders reside near your neighborhood