PALESTINE —
The previous report of a possible child abduction from a school bus stop on Monday was determined to be a false report after an extensive investigation by the Palestine Police Department.
According to PPD Sgt. James Muniz, the initial case report indicated that a 10-year-old female told her parents that she had been taken from the school bus stop to a van by a man, allegedly armed with a handgun, and then driven to an abandoned house several blocks away.
“After an extensive investigation into this matter, (we have) been able to determine that the incident never took place,” Muniz said. “This determination was made after several interviews with people in the neighborhood and having a second interview with the victim.”
Detectives from the PPD were able to locate the house where the victim had allegedly been taken after the abduction and evidence suggested that no one had been inside the house for some time.
“There was information given at the beginning of the investigation that did not add up,” Muniz said. “However these incidents must be fully investigated until such time that there is sufficient information or evidence to prove that the incident did or did not take place.
“In this case we have determined that the incident did not take place and that there was no evidence found to support the allegations made during this incident.”
Sgt. Muniz has spoken to Palestine Independent School District officials and was able to keep them up to date during the investigation. The district also was informed of the police department’s final findings into the matter.
Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com
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