A 31‑year‑old man was detained after attempting to abduct a 7‑year‑old girl from her mother in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon, over the weekend.
The suspect was seen running naked through the park before 7 p.m. on Saturday. Witnesses reported that he tried to punch a bystander and later seized the child's arm, attempting to pull her away from her mother.
Officers arrived shortly after the confrontation and found the man swimming in the Willamette River nearby. He was apprehended and taken to the Multnomah County Detention Center on multiple charges, including first‑ and second‑degree attempted kidnapping, first‑degree custodial interference, third‑degree assault, and harassment.
The 7‑year‑old was checked by paramedics at the scene and treated for scratches. She was not transported to a hospital and did not sustain serious injuries.
The child's mother, father, and nearby bystanders intervened, physically restraining the suspect. The struggle was intense enough that the child was briefly lifted off the ground, and one bystander used pepper spray to deter the attacker.
The family confirmed that they were visiting Portland from out of state when the incident occurred.
