Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Amanda Butterfield Reporting Sandy Police wanted a child to be kidnapped from a city park today, they even arranged it.
No parent wants to think about their child kidnapped in daylight while playing with friends, but it happened here. One minute her son was sledding with friends, the next gone. That's all this mother could tell the officer. But before we get any further, you should know this is a drill, training to help the Sandy Police Department deal with kidnappings.
Lt. Mitch Howard, Sandy City Police Dept.: "This doesn't happen very often, so you that's why important to have training, prepared as possible."
All the people here know what's going on, they all have a role to play. Meet the victim.
Sam: "My dad's going to kidnap me."
And his 'fake' mother.
"I was here but I didn't see him."
But the work police are doing is all real, and residents are glad.
Eric Winter, Participant: "I have two kids. If something to happen to them, want police to know what they're doing and how to respond well."
Quickly gathering information door to door is the first step police take in a case like this because the first three hours are the most crucial. And even though some of these neighbors couldn't help in the search, this drill helped them.
June Perryman, Participant: "I'm not observant, but this is going to make me more on the ball."
About an hour and a half later, Sam was found with his real family.
Justin Huff, Sam's Real Father: "They found Sam pretty fast."
But more work awaits the police department.
Lt. Howard: "We will evaluate it extensively."
But for Sam, it was all a sweet ending.
This is the first kidnapping drill Sandy Police have ever done. The FBI and Center for missing and Exploited Children were also involved.
