4-year-old Antioch girl spots intruder in home, directs police

ANTIOCH, Calif. (KGO) -- A very smart and brave little girl helped police quickly catch a man who broke into her home. Antioch police zeroed in on the intruder Monday night, thanks to 4-year-old J'Anae Yeager.

He appeared in the back of the house through the sliding door. Alarmed, the mother ran out with her infant son. But J'Anae remained inside while the intruder went from room to room.

"He was in my brother's room, then he went to my room, then he went to the crib, then he went into the closet," J'Anae said.

By the time Antioch police arrived, J'Anae told officers exactly where he was, hiding in the closet. After a brief struggle, they arrested him.

He's identified as 21-year-old Demario Lopez. The suspect's mother says her son didn't mean any harm because he was having a mental breakdown. He actually lives two houses down.

Harm or not, the family says it was a terrifying situation. Although J'Anae disagrees, saying simply, "I was not scared."

Jess Yeager is J'Anae's older brother. He told ABC7 News, "I'm glad she was brave and that she didn't over panic or anything... She's only four and she was real poised, with a stranger in her room and all."

This was one little girl who helped police in a big way.