Des Moines, IOWA – According to the Des Moines Police Department, his name is Carter Woodruff and he is charged with assault causing bodily injury in connection with the Saturday incident.
More charges could be added as the investigation progresses, authorities say.
The 9-year-old girl was attending a swimming event at the Downtown YMCA when the assault happened.
The 34-year-old suspect grabbed the victim by the arm and then pulled her to the ground before kneeling over her.
The child was screaming and kicking and the suspect covered her mouth with his hand before leaving the scene.
Authorities used security camera footage and a photo the girl’s grandmother was able to take to identify the suspect
The 34-year-old man is being held in the Polk County Jail.
This story will be updated as new information become available.