WAUSHARA COUNTY (NBC 26) — The Wautoma police have arrested a man they say attempted to abduct a child at Bird Creek park earlier today.
Police say he tried to lead a boy into the woods.
Tips led police to arrest a man who was wearing clothes that matched the suspect's description.
The man is currently in the Waushara county jail.
Below is information before the man was taken into custody:
According to a press release, on June 5th, 2024 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., three to four children were approached by a man while they were playing at Bird Creek Park. Bird Creek Park is located at 555 S 16th Avenue in Wautoma.
The man talked with the children for about 20 minutes and showed them music videos on his phone. The suspect told the children that he wanted to “Take them to heaven.”
The suspect then attempted to lead one of the boys into a nearby woods. An adult nearby called for the child and the suspect walked away along the edge of the woods.
There was a delay in the report to the police. Wautoma Police with the help of a Waushara County K9 searched the area but did not find the suspect.
The suspect was never seen near a vehicle. None of the children were physically harmed.
Officers are canvassed the area for witnesses or video surveillance of the suspect.
The police urge all parents/guardians to avoid allowing their children to play unsupervised in public locations until a suspect is located.
This should include all summer school and summer camp bus stops.
