An Adams County District Court judge sentenced a 30-year-old man to eight years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of attempting to kidnap a 10-year-old girl outside of her school.

Judge Stephen Howard sentenced Diego James Gettler on after the man pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping on Jan. 9, according to a news release from the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. He was given credit for 885 days of time served.

The incident occurred outside of STEM Launch K-8 located at 9450 Pecos Street in Thornton around 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23, 2022. The child was dropped off at the school by her mother. The child walked to a waiting area outside of the school when Gettler approached her while wearing all black and a mask, according to arrest records.

Surveillance video showed Gettler grab the girl in an attempted abduction. He put his hands over her mouth and she fought back and pulled down his mask. Startled, Gettler fled the scene. The victim ran to the school doors for help, and staff quickly responded, according to the release.

A few days later on Sept. 26, Gettler’s parents walked into the Thornton Police Department to report their son as the possible suspect in the case, according to arrest records.

Through GPS, detectives found Gettler’s car at a Home Depot in Parker that day. Parker Police Department officers responded and found Gettler inside the car, arresting him.

Gettler was the suspect in a similar incident in Lakewood in July 2020, according to arrest records. In that incident, the then 15-year-old victim went for a run from her home to an elementary school and while near the school’s playground she reported that the man grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth.

She said the man tried pulling her clothing off but he fled after she kicked at him. The case was inactivated prior to charges being filed, according to the affidavit.

While the Thornton kidnapping attempt occurred, Gettler was on bond for four criminal cases in Jefferson and Adams Counties, the district attorney’s office said. Gettler’s only criminal convictions at that time were for misdemeanor criminal mischief and leaving the scene of an crash involving injury. The defendant now has three misdemeanor convictions for 3rd degree assault, and convictions for harassment and second degree assault on a peace officer.

“The defendant’s actions here were truly unspeakable and outrageous,” District Attorney Brian Mason said in the release. “We can only imagine the evil intent this man had were he to have fully succeeded in completing his plan. Thankfully, this young girl’s courage and quick thinking won the day.”