A man has been jailed after attempting to abduct a child from a school playground.
Kentucky State Police is investigating after the man tried to abduct a child on Friday from the playground at Whitley County Intermediate School.
The initial investigation resulted in the arrest of 37-year-old Willie O. Bethea, of Latta, South Carolina. He was charged with attempted kidnapping (minor), first-degree criminal trespassing, persistent felony offender, and driving on a suspended license.
State police said Bethea was arrested after he “unlawfully made his way onto the playground and attempted to get a child to go with him.” The suspect was confronted by school staff and exited the property.
Whitley County Schools, Williamsburg City Schools and Corbin City Schools were placed on soft lockdown as police searched for Bethea, who was arrested at the Corbin Walmart, approximately 15 miles from the attempted abduction.
Police said there is no known relationship between Bethea and the child he tried to abduct.
(Photo: Willie O. Bethea, courtesy of Kentucky State Police)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
