Police: No new leads in Derby child abduction attempt

Derby police said Thursday they have no new leads as they investigate the attempted abduction of a young child reported Wednesday.

Police say the incident took place about 10:20 a.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of East Kay in Derby. A woman was walking with her two children when she noticed a black van following them.

After a man in the van offered the woman and her children candy and cookies, he jumped out and grabbed the woman’s 3-year-old daughter by the shoulders, the woman told police. The woman hit the man twice, forcing him to let the child go and return to the van, police said.

“We’re still following up, still investigating,” Derby Police Chief Robert Lee said. “I can’t recall another case like it.”

Child abduction attempts are “very rare for us,” he said.

After the man returned to the van, the vehicle left the area and headed west toward K-15.

The suspect who tried to grab the child is described as white, in his 30s, 5-foot-7 to 6 feet tall with a slender build and blond hair. He was wearing a tan T-shirt, blue jeans and tan shoes.

The van’s driver was also white and had facial hair.

The black van was described by the woman as a larger van with at least three rows of seats.

Derby police ask that anyone with information call 316-788-1557, 911 or Derby Crime Stoppers at 316-788-8477.

This story was originally published October 2, 2014 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Police: No new leads in Derby child abduction attempt."