SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A man with a long history of drug offenses was charged Friday for crashing his car into a 12-year-old girl before kidnapping and attempting to molest her.

Officers described suspect Donald Charles Bachmann, 27, as a methamphetamine user with a number of convictions for possession of drugs or being under the influence.

The charges filed against him in Santa Clara County Superior Court included assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury, kidnapping for the purpose of molesting a child, forcible child molestation during the course of a kidnapping and two counts of auto theft.

If convicted, he could face 34 years to life in prison.

Police said Bachmann drove a stolen car into the 12-year-old girl, who was crossing the street with her younger sister on Monday. The younger girl managed to get her sibling to the sidewalk, but police said the suspect forced the injured girl into his car. He drove off and later tried to sexually assault her. But the girl punched him and escaped, running barefoot to a nearby home, police said.

Bachmann's parents disputed on Thursday the police's statements, saying their son had taken the girl into his car to drive her to a hospital, not to hurt her.

"His attempt to help was misinterpreted as an attempt to kidnap the girl," said Lance Bachmann, 57, the suspect's father.

Assistant Police Chief Tuck Younis was glad for the quick arrest.

"But let us not forget," Younis added, "that there is a 12-year-old little girl who still lies at a local hospital with significant injuries she is recovering from."

Bachmann is being held at San Jose Main Jail. He is scheduled to enter a plea on Wednesday.

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Information from: San Jose Mercury News