Deputies: Woman tried to abduct 2 kids at park
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A woman attempted to abduct two children at a Volusia County beach park on Monday after two parents reported they had to pull their kids away from her, authorities say.
Sarah Freeman, 34, of Port Orange, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of attempted kidnapping and one count each of aggravated battery on a pregnant victim, burglary of a conveyance and battery.
“I thought she was funny, right at first, and I wasn’t thinking much of it,” said one man who called 911 to report the incident around 1:27 p.m. at the Toronita Avenue Beach Park, 4200 S. Atlantic Ave., Wilbur-by-the-Sea. “And then it just went weird, out of nowhere.”
Deputies say Freeman approached a pregnant mother and her 7-year-old daughter, saying “This isn’t a Florida trip you’re going to want to remember,” before grabbing the little girl by the towel she was wearing. The mom reacted quickly and pulled her daughter back, but Freeman hit her during the struggle.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Freeman went to another parent hit him in the backside with a stick saying, “We don’t know you around here.” She told his 5-year-old son, “It will be all right. He’s not your dad,” then grabbed him by the arm and started to walk away, deputies say. The father intervened, got his son back and took him back to his truck, where Freeman tried to force her way in through a passenger window, according to the man.
Another witness said Freeman then turned to her and said, “I’ll just take your kid, then.” That parent and her child went to their vehicle and locked their doors.
Deputies were able to locate Freeman and take her into custody within minutes. They said she appeared to be under the influence of some unknown substance.