8-year-old boy escapes attempted kidnapping at Santa Clarita Valley community pool

Authorities in the Santa Clarita Valley are warning parents that a man may be targeting children in the area after an attempted kidnapping earlier this month.

According to a social media alert issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the incident occurred on June 13 around 4:10 p.m. at the Valencia Hills Homeowners Association Community Pool.

“An adult male contacted a young boy who was leaving the pool and asked him to accompany him to another location,” the sheriff’s department said. “The male followed him for a short while before the juvenile was able to cycle away.”

Valencia Hills Community Pool

No description of the man was immediately available.

“It’s very worrying. Our neighborhood is a good neighborhood, and this has never happened before,” a homeowners association member told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe.

Neighbors believe the same man was seen lurking near the pool several days earlier.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to contact Detective Chappell by calling 661-260-4000 ext. 5618. To submit an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org

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