Family member of nearly kidnapped teenager in Springfield speaks out about incident

SPRINGFIELD – Barbara Whittington said her grandchildren enjoy spending the summer with her at their Blood River home. She said her 9-year-old grandson loves to canoe down to the river bank and play.

“They play volleyball, baseball, water slides and the kids fish. I’ve been here almost six years and nothing like this has ever happened,” Whittington said.

Whittington said she went inside when her nine-year-old grandson and his friends ran into the house.

He told her that a man and a woman in a white car with no front bumper had circled the area twice.

Then, he says, the man got out, grabbed him and tried to drag him into his car. The boy said he then bit the man on the arm and ran away.

“His mom taught him from a young age not to talk to strangers. If someone grabs you, make noise and fight back. She drilled it into him, he just did what he was taught. Smart thinking, smart kid,” Whittington said.

We were told the children were not injured but were taken back to the police station today for further questioning.

“Take care of your babies, don’t trust anyone. You really can’t. Take this as an example. We were here, in a quiet neighborhood, only one way in and only one way out. And suddenly someone comes and grabs one of your children,” Whittington said.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office said it has found the car believed to be involved.

Witnesses said a man and a woman were arrested. Officials said there were no arrests.