Local

Witnesses confronted man who tried to kidnap girl at Southern Christmas Show

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police say several witnesses confronted a man they noticed was trying to kidnap an 11-year-old girl Saturday at the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte, and he then let her go and ran off.

Police were still investigating the attempted kidnapping of the child as the 12-day event ended.

Officers were called around 7:30 p.m. Saturday to the 800 block of Briar Creek Road.

Officers said they were told that the girl was walking with her family at the Southern Christmas Show when a man approached her and tried to walk off with her.

The man is described as of Middle Eastern descent, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 150-170 pounds. He was accompanied by a woman pushing a stroller.

Channel 9 spoke with a child's mother about a terrifying incident.

"It was within a split second. It was moments,” Channing Stark said.

She told Channel 9 she had been walking with her three children and some of her friend's children at the Southern Christmas Show when it happened.

"We were so busy and feeling like we were in a safe environment, like this is family-friendly event," Stark said.

Stark said her children, ages 11 and 15, were walking closely in front of her.

Her 7-year-old child ran off and her oldest went to get him.

That's when, Stark said, a strange man stepped in.

"This man was all of a sudden walking with my 11-year-old child with his arm around her shoulder, just guiding her, trying to guide her off to the right," she said. "I yelled at my 15-year-old. I said, 'Who is that man with my daughter?' and she turned around, and looked at him right at the face. He turned around and looked at me."

She said he immediately pushed her daughter away and ran off. She said what was particularly scary was how casually the man slipped in, as if he had been part of their group. He did so in a calm way, so as not to make her daughter feel threatened.

At first, Stark said, she thought it was an accident, but then realized the severity of what had happened.

"The possibility of her being taken off was very highly likely, (with) nobody knowing where she went or what happened or anything," Stark said.

She said it has been incredibly eye-opening for her entire family and hopes others will take note this holiday season.

"This stuff does happen to you, and can happen," Stark said.

“It's scary because you want your kids to feel safe no matter where you are,” parent Lisa Schilling said.

Marketplace Events, producer of the show, said there would be a heightened security presence for Sunday's final day.

Representatives from the show said the event already employed the use of armed security guards before, during and after show hours each day.

“You shouldn't have to worry about if something bad is going to happen to you,” spectator Kaitland Day said. “Worry about having a good time, not that somebody is going to take your kid.”

“We understand that the quick response of witnesses prevented the kidnapping; CMPD, show security and our staff reacted swiftly and efficiently to maintain venue safety,” show representatives said. “We are thankful to them for their immediacy and professionalism in response to this incident.”

Parents at the Southern Christmas Show were vigilant, too.

“Hand on the stroller at all times,” spectator Kayla Bearden said. “Hand on him at all times, just making sure everybody knows where everybody is. I think that's really all you can do, Just be alert and be vigilant and just try to make sure you know where everybody is.”

As police investigate, they encourage anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.