Man who took girl’s hand while she walked to school in River Heights was not abduction attempt: Winnipeg police

Posted February 4, 2025 11:26 am.
A man in his 30s who took a girl’s hand while she walked to school in River Heights on Thursday morning was not attempting to abduct her, according to Winnipeg police.
Two girls, aged eight and 10, were walking to school together in the J.B. Mitchell neighbourhood of River Heights when they were followed by an unknown man around 8:30 a.m. The man then got closer and took hold of one of their hands.
An adult witnessed the incident and intervened, causing the man to let go of the girl’s hand before fleeing. Police say both girls made it to school and reported the incident to an adult.
The Winnipeg Police Service’s child abuse unit identified a suspect.
“After further investigation and gathering additional details, it was determined that although this behavior was concerning, it is not believed to be an attempted child abduction,” police said.
No charges were laid.