Crime & Safety

Police Thank Alert Child but Salesman Wasn't a Child Abductor

The Paulding County Sheriff's Office commended a 10-year-old boy for his alertness but a potential child abductor turned out to be a salesman from Two Men and a Ladder.

Police are commending an alert 10-year-old boy who reported an attempted child abduction Tuesday afternoon even though the event turned out to be a misunderstanding, according to Cpl. Ashley Henson, public information officer for the Paulding County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities received a 911 call that a white male with a full beard, driving a red truck, propositioned the boy to get in the vehicle. This incident occurred in Carrington Lakes Subdivision which is in the southern portion of Paulding County.

After a thorough investigation by detectives with the Crimes Against Children Division, it was learned that the man was in the neighborhood soliciting business for his gutter cleaning company (Two Men and a Ladder). Detectives interviewed the boy as well as the man from "Two Men and a Ladder" and confirmed through their statements as well as multiple neighbors, that they were there conducting legitimate business.

It was also determined that the man from "Two Men and a Ladder" did talk to the boy but that he was merely trying to pass out a business card to everyone in the neighborhood that he saw.

"We want to commend this young man for remaining diligent," Henson said. "When there's something suspicious, kids should always find an adult or call 911. It's better to be safe than sorry."

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"Thanks to everyone who passed the word about this potential threat," reads the Sheriff's Facebook page. "Please remember to call 911 immediately if you suspect any suspicious activity in your neighborhood."


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