Attempted Abduction Investigation Continues

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies say they have interviewed a person of interest in a possible attempted child abduction that occurred in New Port Richey Tuesday evening. The investigation, however, continues with no arrests announced.

On Tuesday morning, authorities said they were looking for help finding a 19-year-old Moon Lake man for questioning in the case. Around 2:30 p.m., the agency issued a statement that contact had been made with the man and that the investigation was continuing.

The incident that prompted a search for the Moon Lake man took place around 3:10 p.m. May 9. Pasco deputies say a 9-year-old Deer Park Elementary School student was walking home at that time in the area of Little Creek Drive and Canopy Drive. As the girl made her way through her neighborhood, “she was chased from the roadway and between houses by an adult white male,” a Wednesday morning email from the sheriff’s office said.

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As the little girl sought out help, she managed to lose the man, the agency noted. When she made it home, however, “the same suspect approached her in a blue car and made several verbal attempts to get her into the car.”

The girl went inside her home and locked herself in, the sheriff’s office said.

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Images courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office