Mom speaks out after possible Rutland child luring incident

Kelowna police are looking for help from the public as they investigate an incident where a man approached kids at a Rutland playground.

Danika Payne said she was at Ben Lee Park with her two children on Wednesday evening when she saw a man talking to her daughter and a 6-year-old boy.

Payne told police she originally though the man was the boy’s father but then the boy ran over to people who were obviously his parents.

“The man gestured to her daughter with both hands, while saying ‘come here, come here,’” said Cst. Jesse O’ Donaghey in a media release.

“The child yelled for her mother, who confronted the man who ran from the area.”

Payne posted about the alleged incident involving her toddler on Facebook. The post garnered thousands of shares and many comments as people expressed sympathy and concern.

The mother of two feels worries about what could have happened.

“What if I had my back turned for another minute and she didn’t scream ‘mom,’ she could have been gone,” Payne said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "What if I had my back turned for another minute and she didn't scream 'mom,' she could have been gone," Payne said.

The RCMP are now hoping to talk to anyone who saw the encounter.

“Investigators are interested in speaking with the family of the young boy who may have also spoken with this man, as well as any other witnesses who may have information to assist in this investigation,” said O’Donaghey.

“The RCMP would also like to urge the man himself, if he is reading this, to come forward and speak with police.”

Police have released this description of the man involved:

• a half Caucasian and half South Asian male
• in his mid-30’s to early 40’s
• at least 6 feet tall
• 160 lbs
• medium athletic build
• short black hair
• clean cut with a chin strap beard
• spoke with an accent
• seen wearing a black shirt with a white logo, bright blue board shorts and sneakers
• tattoo on right forearm, possibly of writing, which went all the way around his forearm

– with files from Neetu Garcha