Philadelphia authorities are attempting to identify a man caught on video trying to abduct a 2-year-old boy in broad daylight, authorities said.

The child was holding his grandmother's hand as they were walking to church Oct. 17, when the incident occurred, the Philadelphia Police Department said. 

A man tried abducting a 2-year-old boy walking with his grandmother last week, Philadelphia police said. 

A man tried abducting a 2-year-old boy walking with his grandmother last week, Philadelphia police said.  (Philadelphia Police Department )

He allegedly threw a bag at the woman and claimed the boy was his son. 

Footage of the encounter appears to show the suspect trying to grab the child. 

The grandmother told Fox affiliate WTXF-TV she tried to fend off the attacker by throwing her keys at him. He continued to follow and yell at them until they got to the church. 

"By the time I got into church my heart was going. I was a nervous wreck. I was crying," she told the news outlet. 

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Suspect in attempted abduction.

Suspect in attempted abduction. (Philadelphia Police Department )

The suspect was described by police as a Black man in his mid 30s, who is 5 feet, 11 inches tall.