COLUMBUS, Ohio – Parents in Ohio are being warned that investigators have uncovered a string of similar cases of child enticement in Ohio and two neighboring states.
Attorney General Mike DeWine issued a statewide alert to law enforcement officials alerting them to several incidents that have happened in the past several months and weeks.
Members of the Crimes Against Children and Missing Persons units in DeWine’s office uncovered incidents of child enticement and attempted abductions in Ohio, West Virginia, and Michigan which may involve a single suspect.
“Our agents are working right now to determine if these cases are connected, but regardless of whether these crimes are being committed by one person or multiple offenders it is a very serious situation,” De Wine said.
Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents, which includes the Crimes Against Children and Missing Persons units, say in each case, the suspect has approached girls and boys between the ages of nine and 15 while driving a white, windowless panel van, which could be a commercial vehicle, DeWine said.
The driver has then encouraged the kids to talk with him and get into the van.
At the time of each incident, the children had all been walking home after school.
If the cases are connected, agents suspect that the individual is someone whose job requires him to travel frequently.
The suspect is described as a white man in his mid to late 40’s or early 50’s, 5’8″ – 5’9″ tall with brown hair, possible wearing a mustache and baseball hat with glasses or sunglasses.
If approached by a stranger, DeWine suggests that children:
Make a commotion; Yell ‘No!’ or ‘Help!’ and run away immediately.
Keep a large distance between themselves and a vehicle, if approached by someone in a car.
Take all suspicious situations seriously; Do not be afraid to scream or run.
If possible, take note of details such as a person’s appearance, clothing, vehicle, and license plate.
Tell parents what happened.
DeWine says parents should walk to and from school with their children or arrange for them to walk with friends, know the route their children take to and from school, walk along the route and point out safe places to go if an incident occurs.
Ohio’s sex offender registry is available on the Attorney General’s website.