No charges after incident in River Heights determined not to be attempted abduction: Winnipeg police

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Peggy

Winnipeg police say an incident last week involving two girls near in the River Heights area was not an attempted child abduction, and no charges will be laid.

The police service got a report alleging an attempted child abduction last Thursday morning, after an adult saw a man following two girls, ages eight and 10, as they were walking to school.

Police said the incident happened around 8:30 a.m. on John Brebeuf Place, near Beaverbrook and Centennial streets.

The adult witness intervened after the man grabbed one of the girl’s hands, which prompted the man to release her hand and run off, police previously said.

Both girls got to school safely and reported the incident to an adult. No physical injuries were reported, police said.

Investigators identified the man described in the incident and determined that although his behaviour was “concerning,” it is not believed to be an attempted child abduction, a Tuesday morning news release said.

No charges have been laid in the incident.

Police encouraged parents and other caregivers to continue educating their children about safety and reporting suspicious circumstances to a trusted adult.