Attempted abduction turns out to be case of mistaken identity - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Attempted abduction turns out to be case of mistaken identity

What was believed to be an attempted abduction turns out to be a case of mistaken identity, according to Greenville ISD authorities.

Greenville ISD's Kelli Tharp said the district reviewed security cameras in the area of the reported incident and the suspect was someone known to the district. The man said the girl he offered a ride to looked like someone he knew. It turned out it was not the girl he thought it was.

"After pulling video surveillance and investigating the situation, the GPD discovered that the suspect was a Greenville Middle School parent who mistook the identity of the student for that of a friend's grandchild," Tharp said in a news release. "Being that it was an early release day, he was concerned that the student had not yet been picked up and was offering a ride to her home. He simply mistook the identity of the child."

The district says the girl did the right thing by saying nothing to the man and leaving the area, and calling police.

"We are proud of our student for reporting the situation," Tharp said.

This scare came on the heels of a Greenville ISD student who had gone missing being found deceased in a box earlier this week. 

Greenville ISD received a report that a student at the middle school claimed to be approached and offered a ride by a man at the intersection of Texas and Park around 12:30 p.m., Wednesday.

The student said the suspect had been waiting on Texas Street in front of the Middle School as though waiting to pick up a child, but never did. He then drove his pickup truck toward the student in the parking lot, lowered his window and asked if the student needed a ride; offering to take the student home.

When the student refused the man drove away west on Park.

Although this was a false alarm, the district still asks parents and students to remain on alert and be aware of their surroundings.

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