Police: reported attempted abduction in Canton neighborhood

CANTON, Ga. - Police in Canton are investigating a reported abduction attempt of a 12-year-old boy on Tuesday.

It happened in the Summer Walk subdivision around 5:30 p.m. The Canton Police Department said the boy was walking in the neighborhood when he was approached by a stranger in a vehicle who told the child his mother was sick at the hospital and she sent “them” to pick him up.

"He told me that my mom was in the hospital and she wanted them to come pick me up and then I just told them that my mom was inside and she just called me," said the boy, who is not being identified by FOX 5 News because of the nature of the story.

Police said the boy told the man he had just got off the phone with his mom and she was at home. The man then drove away.

"I was kind of nervous and I was thinking I should get home as fast as possible," said the boy.

The man is described by police as being white with long hair. He was said to be driving a black newer model four-door car with tinted windows. The boy could not tell if anyone else was in the car because of the tinted windows.

"I think it's easy to forget and it does happen. So, this is a great opportunity for parents to talk to their kids, remind them about stranger danger and probably more importantly, that it's OK to say ‘No,’" said Officer Pacer Cordry, Canton Police Department.

Officers are reviewing security cameras from several residents in the neighborhood and have increased patrols around bus stops.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.