Man posing as parent tried to lure child from East Van daycare: police
Posted January 5, 2024 10:44 am.
Last Updated January 6, 2024 1:28 pm.
Vancouver police are looking into reports that a person allegedly posed as a parent and tried to lure a five-year-old from a home daycare last month.
The VPD says a man knocked on the door of the home in the area of East Hastings and Skeena streets around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 and spoke with the daycare operator’s daughter.
The suspect reportedly claimed he was the father of a girl who was at the daycare, with police saying he “referred to the child by name.” At the time, the VPD notes the child was out with daycare staff, so the man left and “made a comment about calling the nanny.”
The incident was reported to the girl’s family and police right away, the VPD adds.
VPD: Nature of incident ’cause for concern’
Police say they’ve been looking into the “troubling case” for more than three weeks but have yet to identify a suspect.
“With students heading back to school and daycares soon re-opening after the Christmas break, we’re notifying the public and taking additional steps to solve this case,” Sgt. Steve Addison said Friday.
He says police have spoken with daycare staff, the girl’s family, other families of the daycare, and have canvassed the area for video and witnesses.
“We’ve confirmed that neither of the girl’s parents had come to pick her up that afternoon, and that nobody else should have been aware of the child-care arrangement,” Addison explained.
“Who this man was is still a mystery, and the nature of the incident is a cause for concern.”
The VPD has released a composite sketch of the man, as well as an image of a car seen in the area of the daycare around the time of the incident. The VPD notes the car has not been linked to the suspicious occurrence but adds the person driving it may be able to help in this case.
Police say the suspect is possibly in his 30s. He is described as being about 6′ tall with a medium build. According to the VPD, he had facial stubble and was wearing a white toque and white hoodie at the time of the incident.
“He was described as appearing clean and stylish,” the VPD added.
Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect or the vehicle to contact the VPD’s Special Investigation Section at 604-717-0600.
