Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO -- A 42-year-old man was arrested after attempting to kidnap a 4-year-old girl in Provo. The girl's caregiver saw the man come into the yard where the girl was playing and was able to pull the child away while neighbors called police.
According to Sgt. Mark Crosby of the Provo Police Department, William Shepherd was seen outside a home at 674 N. 850 West in Provo on Thursday, where a 4-year-old girl was playing in the yard.
Sara Jones, who lives at the residence and was caring for the child, saw Shepherd and the girl and immediately ran out to confront him. As Jones approached him, she heard him tell the girl, "You're coming with me."
Shepherd grabbed the girl by the arm and attempted to pull her away. Jones was able to grab the girl's other arm and, while screaming at Shepherd to leave the child alone, was able to free the girl and run with her toward the house.
Shepherd chased the two and attempted to push his way inside the house while Jones pulled the door closed. Shepherd then walked away from the home.
Witnesses saw part the struggle and called Provo police. Shepherd was later found a few houses away from the Jones' residence and was arrested for child kidnapping, attempted burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia without any altercation or pursuit.
