Officials: No evidence of child abduction attempt

ENCINITAS

A woman's claim that a stranger tried to walk off with her young daughter at an Encinitas beach last weekend has been deemed unfounded, sheriff's officials said Thursday.

On Sunday, the department said the woman reported that a skinny, shirtless blond man took her 5-year-old by the hand and tried to walk off with her about 4 p.m. that day at Moonlight Beach.

The woman reportedly told officials she yelled at him and he fled.

But on Thursday, the department said that after “a comprehensive investigation,” detectives determined the incident did not happen.

“There is no suspect at large and no danger to the community,” the department said in a news release.

Detectives reviewed video in the area and “it didn't line up” with the statements provided to them, sheriff 's Lt. Christopher Lawrence said.

Lawrence said it might have been a misperception by the mother.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com