A 68 year old woman has been arrested and is in police custody in connection with an attempted child abduction in Quesnel on Thursday night.
Shortly before 10 p.m. on Thursday, September 13th, 2012, Quesnel RCMP received a report of an attempted child abduction. RCMP were called to the area known as "Spirit Square" - a public gathering place located in the downtown core of Quesnel after a 7 year old Quesnel boy was approached by a 68 year old woman who proceeded to shake his hand and subsequently grabbed him by the wrist attempting to pull him toward her nearby vehicle. Thankfully the child's 13 year old friend saw what was going on and intervened pulling the child away from the female suspect. The woman fled the scene in her vehicle but was located and arrested moments later by members of the Quesnel RCMP.
The 68 year old woman of no fixed address was arrested for Attempted Kidnapping and remains in Quesnel RCMP custody awaiting her first appearance later today (Friday).
The woman was not known to the 7 year old child or his family and this appears to be an isolated incident. RCMP credit the quick action and bravery of the 13 year old girl who intervened as being critical in preventing this abduction.
This incident serves as a reminder to all parents of the importance of speaking to their children about stranger safety.