Tehachapi News

Sheriff: Suspected abduction attempt probably “case of mistaken identity”

larger view

A suspected abduction attempt of a Golden Hills student Tues., Dec. 1 might have been a simple case of mistaken identity, according to Sgt. Richard Wood of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.

A TeleParent message sent out by the Tehachapi Unified School District informed parents that a female, fifth grade student was approached after school by an older woman and a young male adult, possibly in his 20s, in an older-model green vehicle.

The student was asked to get into the car, but did not know its two occupants, and instead turned away and left the area to inform someone what had happened.

“We just thought it would be appropriate to inform our folks,” TUSD Superintendent Dr. Richard Swanson said.

Wood, however, said it was likely the people in the car mistook the girl for another student.

“It looks like it was a case of mistaken identity,” Wood said.

Wood said the student “did the right thing” in leaving the area to get help.

“For right now, we’re hanging onto our notes,” he said. “It could turn into something we’d want to follow up on.”