'Kidnapping attempt' in Queens was misunderstanding, police say
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QUEENS - UPDATE: The NYPD was looking for the man they thought was attempting to kidnap a 3-year-old girl from an NYC daycare in Queens.
Police now say that upon further investigation the individual being sought did not commit a criminal offense and that he was authorized to pick up a child from the location.
The incident happened on Monday, July 15, just before 5 p.m. at the Flushing facility.
According to police, the man entered the daycare located at 35-19 Leavitt St. and told the school staff he was there to pick up a 3-year-old, naming her and stating her father would be 20 minutes late.
Staff would not release the child to the man after looking up that he was not an emergency contact listed by the parents, police said.
The male allegedly stated he would wait outside for the child before fleeing on foot.
The child remained safe and secure inside the facility and was not removed.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).