Bridgton Police investigate attempted child abduction

BRIDGTON — Bridgton Police are investigating an attempted abduction of a nine-year-old girl, which Chief Kevin Schofield calls "an extremely serious situation."

"The department has been investigating this extensively for the last several days," he said.

Schofield said he was unable to comment on who he believes the perpetrator may be. "But we have developed some leads in the case that's requiring a lot of follow-up work," Schofield explained. 

"We have developed a person of interest that we are trying to locate to speak to," he said. 

According to Schofield, last Saturday the child was at a local swimming hole called Stevens Brook on Kansas Road when the attacker, described as an older, slightly overweight caucasian male with white hair attempted to abduct her. 

"There were several other children in the area and some of the children had seen ... pieces of this situation occur," Schofield explained. 

"He attemped to get the nine-year-old victim into what is described as a panel-type van, kind of like an ice cream truck," he said, "but I want to make it clear that it's not marked up and advertised as a traditional ice cream truck." 

Schofield said the child was able to distance herself from her attacker and get away from him –  the man then got back into his vehicle and left the area of Kansas Road toward downtown Bridgton, he said. 

"The girl, and friends she was with, ran to a nearby home of one of the friends and the girl called her father immediately, who in turn, called the police," Schofield said. 

Schofield said it was exactly what she should do to avoid this kind of situation. 

According to reports, a family friend said that when he saw the nine-year-old girl minutes later, she had a scrape on her leg and about six other children had been screaming for help from the swimming hole. 

Anyone who may have information on this case is asked to contact the Bridgton Police Department at 647-8815 ext. 200. 

Police say in the meantime, parents should be talking to their children about stranger danger and keeping a close eye on them at all times.