BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The Kern County Sheriff's Department said that a 10-year-old girl was kidnapped and that her family came and rescued her from the kidnapper's house.

Around 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, deputies of the Metropolitan Patrol Division were dispatched to the 1900 block of Flower Street on a report of a kidnapping.

The girl said that she was walking in the 1900 block of Flower Street when she was approached by Cassandra Knox, 28. The girl told deputies that Knox was yelling at her and grabbed her by the hair. Knox then pulled her by the hair against her will and forced her into the apartment, deputies said.

Knox continued to hit her while they were inside the apartment, the girl told deputies.

Deputies said the girl suffered minor injuries and declined medical aid.

Two people in front of the apartment said they saw Knox grab the girl by the hair and force her into the apartment. The witnesses said they ran home and told the girl's mother of the situation.

The mother, along with the witnesses and other family members, went to the apartment and demanded Knox release the victim.

Family members said they were able to retrieve the girl out of the apartment. The mother, witnesses and family members left the apartment and waited for deputies to arrive.

The mother told deputies that she has had ongoing problems with Knox. She said Knox is constantly threatening her daughters and challenging them to fight, deputies said.

During the investigation deputies developed probable cause to arrest Knox on charges of kidnapping and child endangerment. Knox was booked into the Central Receiving Facility.