Clearlake >> A woman discovered her son sitting in a puddle of urine inside a restroom stall after an unknown man reportedly took off with the toddler at Austin Park on Saturday.
The suspect approached the mother and her 3-year-old child at around 8:30 p.m. It was dusk but still during daylight hours, and the two were seated at a table on the gazebo side of the Clearlake park, according to a report by Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph.
Described as a white male adult in his 30s between 5 foot 6 to 9 inches tall with a thin build, dark mustache, possibly a beard, long dark hair and a deep voice, the suspect reportedly talked with the woman about her son. Police believe the long hair may be a wig.
When she refused to let the suspect hold the child, he pushed the woman back, causing her to fall and strike her head on the ground. According the Clearlake Police Department (CPD) officer’s report, the suspect grabbed the child and ran into the women’s restroom.
As the mother tried to get up, she saw the suspect run away from the building. When she went inside, she found her uninjured yet traumatized child sitting in a puddle of urine in a restroom stall, Joseph said. The woman picked up her child and returned home where she called police.
Officers conducted what they referred to as an extensive search of Austin Park and surrounding areas, but were unable to locate the suspect. Joseph said they were, however, able to collect physical evidence from the boy.
The suspect was also further described as last seen wearing a beanie type watch cap, a white sweat shirt, blue jeans and unknown colored Nike shoes.
This case has been turned over to the CPD Investigations Unit. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact detective Elvis Cook at 994-8251 ext. 315.
In response to the activity CPD will be conducting extra patrols in and around all Clearlake city parks.
