Update on April 24, 2025 @ 8:30 p.m.
After a report of an alleged kidnapping attempt near Gainesville earlier Thursday, officials have suspended the investigation after the child who made the claim recanted her story.
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), investigators scheduled a forensic interview with the 12-year-old girl who made the claim Thursday afternoon.
After the interview, she told investigators that no one tried to abduct her while she was waiting for the school bus on East Main Street at Old Cornelia Highway.
Investigators currently believe a neighbor verbally greeted the girl from his porch when she became scared and ran home, making up the story about the abduction attempt.
“While this was an unfortunate situation, the important things to remember are that the child is safe and there isn’t a kidnapper at large,” Sheriff Gerald Couch said in a statement. “I would like to thank members of the community for keeping their eyes open throughout the day and also our deputies, investigators and law enforcement partners for their diligent work.”
Investigators will not pursue charges and HCSO said they are committed to connecting the child and her family to care and services.
Original story published on April 24, 2025 @ 10:15 a.m.
Hall County authorities are asking the public to help them find a man they say tried to abduct a young girl who was waiting for a school bus Thursday morning.
A release from the Hall County Sheriff's Office Thursday said the man tried to abduct the 12-year-old girl near the intersection of Old Cornelia Highway and East Main Street near Gainesville at around 8:00 a.m. while she waited on the bus.
"The suspect came from the edge of the woods and grabbed the victim's arm," the sheriff's office said. "She pulled away from him and ran. He ran after her. A vehicle then came down the street, and the man ran off toward an old railroad overpass on Old Cornelia Highway."
Authorities said the suspect is believed to be a white man, around 50 years old, standing roughly 6-feet tall with a slender build, short brown hair, some facial hair and missing his upper teeth. He was described as having a "disheveled appearance," not wearing shoes with a black t-shirt and jeans.
While authorities said the suspect is not believed to be armed, they said he may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Anyone with information on the man's identity or location is asked to call 911.
The girl was not injured in the incident, according to the sheriff's office.
