KCSD: Dad stops man from abducting son

TYRONE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Kent County authorities are looking for a man who allegedly tried to abduct a 2-year-old boy in front of his Tyrone Township home.

The incident happened between noon and 1 p.m. Tuesday, but wasn't reported immediately, according to the Kent County Sheriff's Department.

The boy was playing in his front yard as his father worked in the garage, according to the sheriff's department. The father then saw a man walking away from the house, holding his son's hand.

"He yelled out something to the individual," Capt. Kevin Kelley of the Kent County Sheriff's Department told 24 Hour News 8 on Friday. "The individual kept on walking hand-in-hand with his 2-year-old son, so Dad went over there. There was a small confrontation between the two adults and Dad was able to take possession of his 2-year-old."

The father took the 2-year-old back into their home. When he went back outside, the man was gone.

"There was a confrontation between the two adults, and there was a physical fight between the two," Kelley added. "Nobody that we know of was severely injured in any way, but again, we have not been able to find the suspect."

The suspect is described as a 6-foot, 190-pound white male about 20 years old. He had pale skin and red/blond curly hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a blue shirt at the time. He may have had a vehicle parked on the shoulder of 17 Mile Road near N. Division Avenue NW at the time of the incident.

The suspect might have injuries to his head and face, authorities said.

Neighbors 24 Hour News 8 spoke with on Friday said they're shocked someone would try to take a child from their community, especially in broad daylight.

"This does seem like the real deal," said Kelley. "We a investigating it to the fullest extent possible."

The Kent County Sheriff's Department is working with neighboring counties in the investigation.

"It's important for parents to know where your kids are a all times and keep a close eye on them," said Kelley. "Whether you live in a more rural area or in a more urban area, it's very important that you know where your children are and don't leave them unattended."

Kelley said the father in this situation did a good job in keeping a vigilant eye on his son.

But Kelley said authorities don't know why the father waited to report the incident.

"It's obviously something that we factor into the investigation, but there could be countless reasons why dad didn't immediately call us and waited a couple of days. But at this point in time that's really got no bearing in how were classifying it or how we're investigating it," said Kelley.

There have not yet been any similar reports.

"Obviously, if you believe that your child is being abducted, you can use whatever level of force is necessary to circumvent that behavior," said Kelley.

But Kelley said that amount of force is determined on a case-by-case basis and that parents should be reasonable and rational based on the situation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kent County Sheriff's Department at 616.632.6100 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.

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24 Hour News 8's Dani Carlson contributed to this report.