No Charges 'Appropriate' After Salem Witchcraft Students Approached: Police Chief

SALEM, MA — Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller sought to soothe public concerns and clarify why no charges are expected against a driver and passenger who approached three children and urged them to get inside their vehicle near the Witchcraft Heights elementary school on Friday.

Police had issued a public notice over the weekend saying they were investigating the incident but were able to identify the couple and determined the man and woman were not "a danger at this time."

Miller then sought to clarify why that decision was made and why charges are not expected against the couple, who were not identified.

"Further investigation has determined by the statement of the driver of that vehicle were not sinister in intent," Miller said. "In fact, other children were present in the vehicle who would have been known to the children on the street and this was the source of the driver's confidence in identifying them.

"The evidence of this case has been presented to the Essex County District Attorney's Office and we are in agreement that no charges are appropriate. Furthermore, publicly identifying the family involved could cause extraordinary harm to them that they do not deserve."

Miller said he understands this may cause frustration with the department after it "raised their fears by releasing the original bulletin."

"The safety of the children of Salem is our highest priority and this was why we felt it prudent to release the original bulletin, to update you with the assessment of the danger Monday night, and finally why we are choosing to follow this course," Miller said.

Miller said the families of the children involved have been given information on the case and are in agreement with police that no charges are warranted.

"I am grateful for your confidence in us and for the vigilance and cooperation of those who made the original report and assisted us along the way," Miller said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)