DALLAS -- Dallas police issued an Amber Alert this afternoon after a man accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend fled in her vehicle with her 4-year-old daughter inside.

Yareli Nava

Police believe 26-year-old Tinoco Cipriano could be headed to the Houston area with the child, Yareli Nava, who was wearing pink pants and a yellow shirt with the words "Akin Elementary" on it. Both he and the child, who is not related to the suspect, are Hispanic.

Mr. Cipriano is believed to be driving a burgundy four-door Toyota sedan with Texas license plate LWP-599.

"We feel based on the circumstances of the situation that the child's safety is in question," said Dallas police Lt. Robert Hinton, who said Mr. Cipriano has contacted some of his relatives. The suspect also threatened to kill himself, police said.

The child was taken about 2:30 p.m. in the 9700 block of Forest Lane in far northeast Dallas, police said. Her 30-year-old mother was putting the girl in the car when she realized the man was hiding in the back seat, police said.

A fight broke out, and the mother was cut on the shoulder, police said. Mr. Cipriano then jumped behind the wheel and sped off with the girl, police said.

The girl's mother was taken to Baylor University Medical Center for treatment.

Lt. Hinton said the couple had been living together until recently. There was at least one prior family violence case against Mr. Cipriano that involved the mother, he said.

Anyone with information can call 911 or contact Dallas police at 214-671-4268.