Man accused of attempting to abduct child appears in court

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A 12-year-old girl says she was terrified when a man approached her at her bus stop and tried to take her.

The girl was able to give police enough information to identify the suspect as Earnest Rose. The girl's parents wanted her to share her story so she could warn other children.

"He just seemed to appear out of the trees and start walking over here," the girl said.

The 12-year-old girl was dropped off at her school bus stop by her father at 6:15 a.m. Tuesday. That's when police said 63-year-old Rose approached in the dark, wearing pajama pants, staring at her and asking her questions.

"He asked me my name and where I lived," the girl said.

She never seen the man before and knew immediately something was wrong. She said he tried to kidnap her when he came back a second time.

"He came back again later, and asked me if I wanted to get in his car, that's when I ran to my friend's house," the girl said.

She got safely to that friend's house and immediately called 911.

"She (the friend) asked me what was wrong and I told her, she called the cops immediately," the 12-year-old girl said.

Police found Rose walking down the road a few minutes later.

While still shaken, the girl said she has advice for others who may be in a similar situation.

"Just be careful. Don't go talking to strangers," she said.

Rose appeared at the Lincoln County Courthouse Wednesday morning during his first appearance.

Channel 9 checked into his background and learned this is not the first time he has faced a judge.

Rose has several past charges including an attempted murder charge that was dismissed.

The judge told him the maximum penalty for attempted abduction of a child is five years in prison.

It is the first time Rose has been charged with a crime against a child.

He was given a court appointed attorney and will be returning for a hearing in two weeks.

WSOC