I tried to help and got accused of kidnapping

I live in a small town that throws a sort of "end-of-summer folly" type thing. Big party in the park: food, games, raffles, music, dancing, rides. I went out with my husband, our friends, and my dad. My husband and I sent our friends and my dad to get a table while we got the food and while we were in line I saw a little girl who was absolutely terrified and obviously lost.

I don't have a major problem with kids, I just don't want them. My primary fear was this kid was small and there were drunk people walking around, she could get hurt. So I went to her and tried to ask her where her parents were.

I think she was just so happy someone was there that she threw herself around me and clung for life. I didn't have a problem with that since I could tell she was upset. So I gave her a squeeze and started for one of the management tents.

About halfway there I feel someone grab my arm and proceed to start pulling. Hard. Like they were trying to rip it off. And then someone was hitting me. I turn. This man is really upset and trying to take the child.

"That's my daughter! Why are you holding my daughter?!"

"I'm sorry, I know this is odd, but she was all alone over there and crying. I was taking her to the tent to page for her parents."

"No you weren't, you're trying to kidnap my fucking daughter! Why else would you be carrying her like that?!"

"Because she was scared and she needed to calm down. I didn't want to let her walk and risk losing her in the crowd."

"You're some kind of pedophile! You were going to kidnap my daughter and do things to her!"

At that point an off-duty cop came over. The dad immediately tells him he saw me snatch his daughter and was heading for the exit. I explained that my husband I had been waiting in line for BBQ when I saw her. She was alone and terrified and crying o I went to her. I was just taking her to the management tent across the food area.

My husband and our friends (who saw everything) and a few of the folks at the tables near the line came to my defense. So I wasn't arrested and the dad was forced to apologize.

I'm reminded about the Middle Eastern man in Florida who did the same thing I did when he saw a little girl scared and lost and the dad beat him up. I'm a small woman, what if this man had assaulted me?

As bad as it sounds but if I see a child in need of adult help again, unless there's a mountain lion running at it with a knife, fork, and "Kiss the Cook' apron on, or some other danger, I'll just turn my back.