Attempted Kidnapping Under Investigation
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Police are working to identify the suspect of an attempted kidnapping that took place on Friday, March 27, at the Ed Smith Complex, which houses the Vidalia Recreation Department and is located at 102 Stockyard Road.
The Vidalia Police Department were dispatched to the Complex at 7:28 p.m. on Friday night after a parent informed dispatch that their child had almost been taken by a kidnapper. The child was not seriously injured, and was able to escape the attempt and run to the safety of their family.
The victim’s family friend, who was also at the Complex on Friday night recounted the event on behalf of the family. She explained that the park was filled with families and kids, as there were baseball and softball games happening throughout the af- continued from page
ternoon and night. “This is the season of ball games, so whether they’re playing or not, that’s where the kids go in the community,” the friend remarked. “Most of the time, games are at 5, 6, and 7 o’clock, so you have kids at the batting cages, kids on the field, kids on the stands, [and on the playground].”
The parents of the child were coaching tball on one of the fields, while the grandparents of the child were sitting on the bleachers and watching the child throw a ball with another child on the nearby playground. “The ball went outside the [playground area] and [the child] went to go get the ball. The [suspect] was sitting in a vehicle, and when they saw the child running to go get a ball, this [person] gets out the car and tries to grab the child. Thankfully, when the [person] tries to grab the child, the child knew enough to fight the predator off and get loose,” she recalled. “By the time the grandparents knew and turned around, the [suspect] had taken off and left.”
“Everyone isn’t coming to the park to play, to workout, or to watch a game – you have to be watchful,” the friend emphasized. “The blessing of this is that this could have been a worse story, but thankfully, this child was wise enough to get away.’’
Officers reported that based on the preliminary information gathered, the incident appeared to occur in a very short timeframe. The child and witnesses gave officers a preliminary description of the suspect and the vehicle in which the suspect left. Investigators are now following up on all leads and working to identify the suspected kidnapper.
The Vidalia Police Department stated that there is currently no indication of an ongoing or immediate threat to the public, but officers will maintain an increased presence in the area as a precaution, as they emphasized that the safety of the community – and especially its children – is their top priority.
The case remains under active investigation. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Robert Fisher or Captain Investigator John Humphrey at (912) 537-4123. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (912) 386-4480 or 1-800-597TIPS (8477).
