Palestine Police determined reported child abduction false - KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports

Palestine Police Department:

PALESTINE (KYTX) - On February 11, 2013 the Palestine Police Department received a report of a possible child abduction. The initial case report indicated that a 10 year old female told her parents that she had been taken from the bus stop by a man. This man was allegedly armed with a handgun. The child was taken to a van and driven to an abandoned house several blocks away.

After an extensive investigation into this matter the Palestine Police Department has been able to determine that the incident never took place. This determination was made after several interviews with people in the neighborhood and having a second interview with the victim.
Detectives from the Palestine Police Department were also able to locate the house where the victim had allegedly been taken after the abduction. There was evidence to suggest that no one had been inside this house for some time.

There was information given at the beginning of the investigation that did not add up, said Sgt. James Muniz. However these incidents must be fully investigated until such time that there is sufficient information or evidence to prove that the incident did or did not take place. In this case we have determined that the incident did not take place and that there was no evidence found to support the allegations made during this incident.

Sgt. Muniz has talked with officials with the Palestine ISD and was able to keep them up to date during the investigation. The Palestine ISD has also been informed of the police department's final findings into the matter.