Police Investigating Report of Attempted Child Abduction in SK

A smart-thinking South Kingstown boy said the right things when he was walking home from school on Wednesday when he allegedly was approached by a man in a van who asked him to get in.

South Kingstown Police are reporting the incident, which alarmed many parents after the child’s mother posted a warning on Facebook about the incident.

The mother said that her son told her that he was coming home from Wakefield Elementary School along and was on Highland Avenue when a black van stopped and a man inside asked if he needed a ride home.

The boy said no, then the man said “come on,” to which the boy replied “no, my mom’s coming in 30 seconds to pick me up.”

“Oh, ok,” the man reportedly said and took off.

The mother reported the incident to police.

On Thursday, South Kingstown Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow told parents to remind children about being safe around strangers.

The man in the van is described as a white male in his mid 50s with scruffy facial hair.

If you have any information, call South Kingstown Police at 401-783-3321.

Friends of the mother on Facebook applauded her for sharing the information and her boy for thinking on his feet.

“GREAT job by your son,” one said.

“You obviously taught him well, good job!” said another.