Crime & Safety

Attempted Abduction Reports in Ames Jump After Evansdale Girls Go Missing

Area law enforcement have been taking an increased number of attempted abduction reports since two Evansdale girls have been reported missing. Officers said they treat all reports as if they were true and honest.

When drivers of vans approached two children in small Story County , the children ran off and their parents called law enforcement officers immediately.

Reports of abduction attempts, similar to these local cases, have spiked since two girls disappeared in Evansdale in July. Police are calling it an abduction.

Such attention and reaction was rare before high profile cases like Johnny Gosch in Des Moines and the murder of Adam Walsh, which inspired the television show America's Most Wanted, caught America's attention in the 1980s.

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Officers, who have worked in law enforcement since the 1980s, said the way they respond to missing cases has not changed but the technology has. They can make use of Amber Alerts, websites, telephone alert services such as A Child is Missing and have learned how to make better use of the media.

Story County Sheriff Captain Thomas Barry said missing persons and abduction cases are all resolved using the same good police work: by asking questions and following up on diligent leads.

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Story County Sheriff deputies said they always send a deputy for each reported missing persons and abduction attempt. Sgt. Rod Bunn said they treat all reports as if the person reporting them is honest and go from there.

Rarely, if ever, does the Sheriff's Office ever receive a true missing person case, but parents often call to report that a child isn't where parents thought they should be and that's exactly how the sheriff's office wants it.

“Time is of the essence,” said Barry, especially in the case of a missing child.

“The bottom line is, if you as a parent think there is something suspicious going on, call us right away,” Barry said.

That's exactly what an Ames mother did when a woman reportedly asked her children if they knew the owner of the black and white dog she had with her. 

The report lead to a Facebook post on Aug. 20 from someone who heard the story:

"Ames Friends~ WARNING!!!! Today two boys were approached as they were walking to ACE HARDWARE. They were asked to look at a dog that a male and female found. They are driving a red or maroon van. Thank God they knew what to do...they are safe. Mom was watching from her yard. They have not found the van or the sicko's that tried to get the boys in their van. PLEASE~ BE VERY CAREFUL, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN.. IF ANYTHING LOOKS STRANGE, CALL IT IN!!"

That post was shared 52 times.

Ames , who investigated the case, said they found nothing to indicate the woman intended to take the children.

Barry said Story County Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald tells deputies that all reports of missing children and possible abduction attempts are taken very seriously.

“You will throw everything you have at it,” Barry said Fitzgerald has told him.

In Iowa, state code sets the requirements for missing persons cases and whether that person can be entered into the .

Anyone reported missing must be declared missing if they:

  • Have a physical or mental disability.
  • The person's safety may be in danger.
  • The disappearance was not voluntary.
  • Are an unemancipated minor.

Police must file a report and their names must be added to the missing persons clearinghouse. If law enforcement know where the missing person might be, they must also contact law enforcement in that area and let them know about the report.

Even if missing persons cases do not meet these requirements there is nothing that says there can't be an investigation, according to the law.


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