SPOKANE, Wash. — A watchful neighbor stepped in to save a 5-year-old boy from being taken by a stranger in Spokane on Thursday afternoon.
According to the Spokane Police Department, officers received a call from witnesses who watched as an unknown man approached the young boy near the intersection of West Mission Avenue and North Maple Street, picked him up and attempted to walk away. A vigilant neighbor confronted the man, yelling at him to stop.
According to court documents, the suspect asked the boy to come here and the child tried to walk away. A witness said they saw the suspect physically pick the child up before turning out of the child's driveway, documents say.
The witness told police she confronted the suspect and said "That's not your kid," documents say. The suspect said, "This kid's lost, nobody is gonna miss the kid," according to documents.
After being confronted, the man released the child and fled the scene. With help from witnesses, officers were able to get a description and locate the suspect several blocks away.
Felix M. Booth, 35, was booked into the Spokane Regional Jail Facility for attempted second-degree kidnapping. He made his first court appearance Friday and is being held on $250,000 bond.
The child was not harmed and is home safe with his family. Police say that was due to a vigilant neighbor who had the courage to step in when they sensed something wrong. They urge people to take time to get the know their neighbors because it might save a life.