Woman sought in ‘bizarre’ attempted child abduction at High Park playground: police

TORONTO — Police are asking the public for help identifying a woman wanted in connection with a “bizarre” attempted child abduction investigation in Toronto’s High Park.

Const. Jenifferjit Sidhu said a “unknown woman” was involved in a “bizarre” altercation with a parent and a child on Saturday afternoon near High Park’s Jamie Bell adventure playground. No other details were released.

A post on the Swansea Parents Facebook page describes an alleged abduction incident involving a woman who “looked totally normal.”

READ MORE: Alleged attempted abductions reported in High Park area

“When he ran and grabbed the son back, the woman yelled at the son, ‘You don’t know this man! Say that you don’t know this man!'”

Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park City Councillor Sarah Doucette said that the person of interest may have been located sooner if police had been contacted earlier.

“The incident happened on Saturday afternoon but it was not reported until Sunday,” she said in a Facebook comment.

“11 Division is investigating but a call to the police at the time might have made it possible to interview the lady.”

The person of interest is described by police as white, aged 30, standing 5’7″, 120 pounds, with a slim build, brown shoulder-length hair and a prominent nose. She was last seen wearing dark designer jeans and a dark jacket.

“Police want to speak to this woman and find out what exactly happened,” Sidhu said, adding that more information would become available later this week after police speak to the family.

Investigators are appealing to anyone who was in this area around the time of the incident to contact them with any information they may think is relevant.

Toronto police can be contacted with information at 416-808-1100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at http://www.222tips.com, or by texting TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).