Update on possible kidnapping from EPD

On October 5, 2014, at approximately 7:40 AM, Eureka Police Department officers responded to a citizen’s report of a kidnapping of a 13-year-old female at 6th and J Streets, Eureka.

After conducting an exhaustive follow-up investigation, EPD detectives have determined the witness is unreliable.

As of the time of this update, no other witnesses have come forward, no missing persons reports have been received, and there is no evidence to suggest this crime took place.
The Eureka Police Department would like to take this opportunity, however, to share the following child abduction prevention tips offered by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Instruct your   to always take a friend when going places and stay with a group while attending school outings and/or standing at the bus stop. If your child walks to school, practice walking the route with them. Always supervise younger children or make sure there is another trusted adult present to supervise them if you cannot. Teach your children to always stay in well-lit areas, never take shortcuts and never go into isolated areas.

Teach your children the appropriate steps to take if approached or followed. If anyone tries to grab your children, tell them to draw attention to themselves and loudly yell, “This person is trying to take me,” or “This person is not my father/mother.” Instruct your child to make every effort to escape by walking, running, or pulling away; yelling; kicking; attracting attention; and/or otherwise resisting.

Teach your children it is more important to get out of a threatening situation than it is to be polite. Children should be taught just because someone tries to engage them in conversation doesn’t mean they should talk to that person or forget their safety rules. Tell them, if anyone bothers them or makes them feel sad, scared or confused, to trust their feelings and immediately get away from that person. Remind them it is OK to be impolite and say no.

Remember to never leave children unattended in a vehicle, whether it is running or not. A child should never be left alone in a vehicle. Remind children to never approach a vehicle or engage in a conversation with anyone in a vehicle who they do not know and trust and without first getting your permission.

Know where your children are and whom they are with at all times. Tell your children they should never go anywhere with anyone without first getting your permission. Remind your children not to accept a ride from anyone unless you have said it is OK. Teach your children to never leave school with anyone unless they check first with you or another trusted adult, even if someone tells them it is an emergency.
For more information, refer to the abduction and harm prevention tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at the following website:
http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/publications/NC60.pdf

Previous Press release:

On Sunday, 10/05/14, at about 7:37 AM, the Eureka Police Department was contacted by a concerned citizen who reported having just witnessed a possible kidnapping.  The caller stated that 3-4 minutes ago, he saw what appeared to be an approximately 13-14 year-old female juvenile walking in the vicinity of 6th and J Streets, Eureka.  A large black van (like a Ford Econoline or similar) pulled up next to the juvenile and an adult male passenger got out, grabbed her, and put her in the van.  The juvenile was seen kicking and heard yelling, “No, don’t” while being put into the vehicle.  The van was last seen leaving westbound on 6th Street from the vicinity of J Street.

The witness provided a partial license plate number for the suspects’ vehicle of “36E4” which he further described as possibly being an early 2000s model.

The passenger-suspect was described as being a black male adult in his late 30s or early 40s, approximately 6’4” tall, with short black hair and last seen wearing a black jacket, white shirt, and blue jeans.  There was no description of the van’s driver.

The victim was described as being a white female juvenile, approximately 14-years-old, with long blonde hair and wearing a pink skirt, black top and a pink backpack.


A county and region wide suspicious circumstances/possible kidnapping broadcast was issued to all law enforcement agencies requesting a welfare check on the juvenile and vehicle if located.  It is unknown at this time whether or not the juvenile is the victim of an actual kidnapping and/or other malevolent act.  As of the time of this release, EPD has received no reports of a missing child matching this suspicious incident.  However, this is an active investigation and all available leads are being currently being pursued.