Possible Kidnapping Attempt Investigated

Police are investigating the possible attempted kidnapping of an 8-year-old boy at the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club last week.

The boy’s father, who did not want his name used, said a man who appeared to be in his 20s asked for his son by name at the club Friday afternoon, saying he was there to pick the boy up.

But the boy, shielded by a club employee, did not recognize the man. When club officials said they would have to call the boy’s mother, the man left the club and drove off.

“We’ve got several investigators out pounding the pavement,” said Sheriff’s Cmdr. Craig Husband. “We can’t say for certain that this person went there with [malicious] intent or whether it’s an honest mistake. Obviously, we’re investigating it because we want to err on the side of caution.”

A friend of the boy’s had alerted club employees that as he was walking into the club, the man approached him and asked whether he knew where the boy was and what he looked like.

The boy’s father said he has sent his son off to stay with family members until the man is found.

Since Friday night, he has posted fliers at schools, churches and restaurants around the city.

He praised his son’s friend and club employees for their quick thinking.

“They saved my life,” the father said.