CCPD: Possible child abduction incident ‘a misunderstanding’
An interaction that led a family to report a possible child abduction attempt appears to be a misunderstanding after a vehicle pulled up to the boy after a traffic-related incident near his bus stop, scaring the child.
“The Cape Coral Police Department has been investigating a report of a potential child abduction that occurred on Wednesday, May 7th,” the CCPD stated in a release on Monday. “A child reported that he was sitting on a bench at his bus stop at NE 41st St & Andalusia Blvd when a black SUV with two men inside pulled up next to him. The child reported that the passenger opened the door and lunged at him. The juvenile was able to get back on his bike and go home.
“Our investigation, as well as conversations with the child and his family, have revealed that the initial statements provided by the child may not have accurately reflected all of the facts of the incident. As the investigation has progressed, additional information has clarified the circumstances. We believe an incident occurred, but not an attempted abduction. Our conversations with the child’s family lead us to believe the child may have ridden his bike in the path of a vehicle, and the driver may have confronted the child for doing that.
“This situation appears to be a misunderstanding. We never condone adults being hostile toward children in this manner. We also applaud the mother for coming forward with the information she was presented.”