Man Accused Of Attempted Child Abduction Inside Marietta Walmart

MARIETTA, GA -- Police are investigating an attempted child abduction that happened at the Marietta Walmart at 210 Cobb Parkway South. The incident occurred inside the store's bathroom. Michael Beltran, 51, of Marietta, allegedly approached a 9-year-old child and attempted to lure him away by telling him his mother had left him at the store and that he needed to go with him.

After Beltran was unable to verbally lure the child away, police said he grabbed him by the arm. The child was able to break free from Beltran and flee to where his mother was in the store.

The child’s mother immediately called 911, and police located Beltran, who was still inside the store and arrested him.

Beltran has been charged with simple battery and kidnapping. Police are asking anyone to come forward if they recognize Beltran and had similar encounters with him.

According to police, in 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted law enforcement with more than 25,000 cases of missing children. Of those cases, less than 1 percent were from non-family abductions. Police said the city of Marietta has not had a child abduction in more than five years.