Park approach terrifies mother

A mother is in shock after a man approached her at a popular Palmerston North park and asked to take her child to the bathroom.

Jilese, who wanted only her first name used, said a man followed her and her seven-year-old son around the Esplanade on Monday while he played on the playground.

He then approached her and asked her how old her son was, what his name was, and if he could take him to the bathroom and play with him.

Jilese said she noticed the man, who she described as Indian, as she was trying to take pictures of her son playing and he kept appearing in them.

After moving to another area of the playground, she said he kept watching them, but she was too afraid to leave as to get to their car she had to walk past him.

So she took her son and went and sat down, which was when he approached them.

‘‘He said, ‘what is your son’s age’, and I looked at him a bit dumbfounded and I said, ‘why’, and he said ‘what’s his name’, and I said, ‘why are you interested in my son? Can you please leave us alone’?’’

She described his behaviour as childlike, but also terrifying, and said he then asked if he could take her son to the bathroom. ‘‘He said, ‘can I take him into the bathroom and play with him’.’’

Jilese said she was in shock and told him she was going to call the police, which was when he ran away.

‘‘What if he says it to a vulnerable young mum and she doesn’t know what to do?’’ Jilese asked.

Thinking back on the situation was hard.

‘‘The way he was looking at my son, I can’t even explain it.’’

Police said they were investigating the complaint and would like to hear from anyone who may have seen an Indian man aged between 20 and 35 acting suspiciously in the area recently.