A southern California woman survived a harrowing ordeal when she was attacked and nearly kidnapped by a scammer posing as a donor during a holiday toy drive. Erin Quinn, who had been helping her community collect gifts for underprivileged children, narrowly escaped what she believes was a plan to take her across the border.
Quinn received a text from an unknown number claiming to be an elderly woman interested in donating toys. When she arrived at the address provided, the situation quickly turned dangerous. A woman disguised in a blonde wig ambushed her in her car, shocking her with a Taser and demanding she drive.
For 25 minutes, Quinn endured repeated Taser shocks — nearly 30 in total — before crashing her vehicle. In the chaos, she recognized her attacker as her former housekeeper, Olga Mendez. A desperate struggle ensued, during which Quinn bit off part of the assailant’s finger in self-defense.
“She tried to put her fingers in my mouth, maybe to rip it open,” Quinn told KTLA. “In a complete panic, I bit part of her finger off because I didn’t know what else to do.”
Quinn managed to escape only after a bystander intervened. She criticized nearby construction workers who she said filmed the attack but failed to help.
Authorities are investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made. Quinn suspects the attacker intended to kidnap her and take her to Mexico, possibly for ransom or human trafficking.
The attack left Quinn with bruises, taser burns, ripped-out hair, and broken nails. Despite her injuries, she expressed gratitude for the bystander who stepped in and helped her escape.
“I am terrified,” Quinn said. “I don’t know why she would do this, but I hope justice is served soon.”
