NewsLocal News

Actions

‘Don't talk to strangers': Kenosha mother ‘fell apart' after abduction attempt

Posted at 7:03 PM, Jul 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-30 20:03:05-04

Kenosha Police are investigating a suspiciousincident involving an elderly man and three minors.

A 15-year-old girl told police the man approached them with a large stuffed animal in his car that’s when she called for help.

This happened Friday morning near Jamestown Park, police say they know who the 84-year-old man is but at this time no arrests have been made.

Candice Witek says her children were the ones approached by the man, she says the whole experience is heart-wrenching.

“I immediately fell apart as any mother, I think will do when they get that phone call,” Witek said. “My children especially my 5-year-old was actually very intrigued which is a very scary thing, even though we’ve had that talk over and over again, don’t go with strangers, don’t talk to strangers.”

Kenosha police agree and that’s what they teach other kids at the safety center. Officer Tyler Cochran, also known as "officer friendly" teaches kids about stranger danger almost every day.

“A lot of the younger kids they want to talk to everybody about everything so we kind of teach them, hey you’ve got to be careful with what you’re doing,” he said.

In the meantime, Witek just hopes an arrest will eventually be made.

“I do want this to be pursued, I do want to continue as they know that,” she said. “What he did was inappropriate, as an 84-year-old gentleman you don’t show up and open doors and tell children to come with you. I want my children and I want everybody’s children to be safe.”

More police are canvassing the area as a precaution. They say they’ll continue to interview witnesses as this investigation develops.