Police say the attempted abduction of a 9-year-old student at her bus stop in Woodstock is unfounded so far but they are continuing to investigate.
The Woodstock Police Department said they were notified around 10:18 a.m. Thursday of an attempted child abduction that occurred near Cobblestone Way and Castle Road.
Woodstock police officers learned that a 9-year-old girl, who is a District 200 student, was walking to her bus stop at the above intersection around 7:15 a.m. Thursday.
Woodstock Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Parsons said a man driving a gray-colored minivan stopped next to the girl, honked the horn and told the girl to get into the van.
The child continued walking towards the stopped school bus with the minivan still following her, Parsons said. She safely got onto her bus without further incident.
The gray minivan, described to be in a dirty condition, continued driving northbound away from the scene.
The child described the man as white with short dark hair and a mustache.
Woodstock detectives interviewed the child with the assistance of the Child Advocacy Center in order to obtain further details, Parsons said.
Police also canvassed the area for witnesses and reviewed video footage of the area.
Parsons said in a Thursday evening update that the police department feels the incident is unfounded.
“However, WPD will continue to interact with the child and her family, as well as interviewing other possible witnesses,” Parsons said.
Police did not say why they thought the incident was unfounded and did not release additional details, citing privacy concerns for the child and their family.
Anyone who has further information on the incident is asked to contact the Woodstock Police Department at 815-338-2131.