Perry Co. Authorities Investigate Attempted Abduction
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 29, 2012
Perry County authorities are investigating an abduction scare in Central
Arkansas that's sure to prompt parents to talk safety with their kids. A
nine-year-old says she was nearly kidnapped by a man trying to lure
her into his truck.
Eden Hotchkiss' mother is relieved her daughter listened to all her lessons on stranger danger but concerned the man who attempted to take her daughter is still out on the streets.
"When I saw that truck I thought it was just a regular day," Eden Hotchkiss said while walking her regular morning route.
"He parked right here, rolled down his window and told me to get in his truck and I started walking faster," she added.
The incident occurred 7:30 Tuesday morning.
"I was scared he was going to come and get me and I didn't want to run to my house because I didn't want him to know where my family was and come and get my family," said Eden.
She says she and another student ran to her bus stop where authorities say teenagers screamed at the stranger. When Eden made it to school, administrators called authorities and it was 2:30 Tuesday afternoon when the resource officer notified her mother.
"I'm very disappointed. If my child had been in a fight, my school would have called me but my child almost gets abducted and they don't call me," she said.
While she's still waiting to hear back from the school, she says she's grateful Eden followed the proper steps to stay safe.
"You shouldn't take for granted oh I live in Perryville, Arkansas it's a safe town. Not necessarily, not in this day and age," said Elizabeth.
She says while she knows almost everyone in her small town, that doesn't mean she can let her guard down, especially now that the man her daughter described is still on the loose.
"I have dreams he is going to come and get me," said Eden.
Perry County authorities are looking for a bald man in his 40's with a thin goatee. He is reportedly driving a two-toned brown GMC pick up truck. For more on their investigation, click here.
Eden says her school held a stranger danger lesson in school Wednesday. School resource officers are also manning the bus stops before and after school.
Eden Hotchkiss' mother is relieved her daughter listened to all her lessons on stranger danger but concerned the man who attempted to take her daughter is still out on the streets.
"When I saw that truck I thought it was just a regular day," Eden Hotchkiss said while walking her regular morning route.
"He parked right here, rolled down his window and told me to get in his truck and I started walking faster," she added.
The incident occurred 7:30 Tuesday morning.
"I was scared he was going to come and get me and I didn't want to run to my house because I didn't want him to know where my family was and come and get my family," said Eden.
She says she and another student ran to her bus stop where authorities say teenagers screamed at the stranger. When Eden made it to school, administrators called authorities and it was 2:30 Tuesday afternoon when the resource officer notified her mother.
"I'm very disappointed. If my child had been in a fight, my school would have called me but my child almost gets abducted and they don't call me," she said.
While she's still waiting to hear back from the school, she says she's grateful Eden followed the proper steps to stay safe.
"You shouldn't take for granted oh I live in Perryville, Arkansas it's a safe town. Not necessarily, not in this day and age," said Elizabeth.
She says while she knows almost everyone in her small town, that doesn't mean she can let her guard down, especially now that the man her daughter described is still on the loose.
"I have dreams he is going to come and get me," said Eden.
Perry County authorities are looking for a bald man in his 40's with a thin goatee. He is reportedly driving a two-toned brown GMC pick up truck. For more on their investigation, click here.
Eden says her school held a stranger danger lesson in school Wednesday. School resource officers are also manning the bus stops before and after school.
Comments
Thank God Eden knew what to do. What about the poor kids who don't - I hope they catch this guy SOON!!!
Carla T.
November 29, 2012 at 9:16 pm
