Davidson Police Investigate Report Of Attempted Child Abduction

DAVIDSON, NC — Davidson police said they found no evidence of a criminal offense or intention to abduct a child following an incident involving two men in a vehicle and an 11-year-old in the Runnymede neighborhood Sunday.

The men, both in their 20s, told police investigators they were in the Davidson neighborhood attempting to meet with and provide tobacco products to a minor they communicated with online through social media.

"Much like someone approaching an older person at a convenience store parking lot to buy tobacco or alcohol, today, this commonly occurs through social media instead of in person," Davidson Police Department said in a statement on social media Monday evening. "Lessons learned — buying prohibited products for minors is illegal and juveniles often utilize social media for this type of activity."

According to a police account of the Jan. 3 incident, the men were stopped at a stop sign when they spoke to the 11-year-old child who was passing the vehicle.

"The vehicle was stationary for a couple of minutes before turning around, passed the child and drove around the child’s father, who was standing in the road, before exiting the development," DPD said.

The child and parents reported that one of the men made statements. Those statements "were innocuous and not threatening or enticing," DPD said.

"The intent of the vehicle occupants is unknown, but our investigation at this time has found no evidence of a criminal offense being committed by the occupants of the vehicle," DPD said.