Cedar City police warn of possible child kidnapping attempt

Cedar City police are warning the public about a man suspected of trying to kidnap a child.

The girl's mother told officers that she saw the man, believed to be in his 40s, open the sliding door of his silver minivan as it drove beside the 7-year-old girl near East Elementary School about 9 a.m. on Thursday, according to police. Before the man could do or say anything, the mother went toward her daughter and the man got back in the van and drove away, the police report.

Officers searched the area extensively but could not find the van, which was possibly a Toyota and had Utah centennial license plates. Police also notified all the local schools about the incident.

The suspect is described as a white man with short black hair. Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call the department at 435-586-2956.

Police are also asking parents to be alert to any suspicious people in or around the schools. They also encourage parents to talk to their children about strangers.

mmcfall@sltrib.com • Editor's note

An earlier version of this article said the man exited the van and approached the child. In fact, the mother told police she did not see the man exit.