More information released on attempted kidnapping
The Sedgwick Police Department and court records provided more information on a possible attempted kidnapping that occurred around 6:40 p.m., April 15.
According to the department, a woman attempted to take a child from a school practice field before being prevented from doing so by supervisors present.
Sedgwick Police arrested Katie A. Ballard, 37, of Sedgwick on on charge of attempted aggravated kidnapping. The crime carries a sentence of between 55 and 247 months in prison.
A complaint filed in district court stated that she grabbed the child, age 9, by the arm in an attempt to take them off the property.
Sedgwick Police Chief Bryan Hall said Monday that police do not believe Ballard knew the child she was attempting to abduct.
When asked if Ballard was working alone and if she or anyone else still posed a danger, Hall said he couldn?t comment to preserve the integrity of the criminal case.
?While families should always follow routine safety protocols, we believe this was an isolated incident and there is not an ongoing concern for the community,? Hall said.
Sedgwick has been on heightened alert surrounding the issue of adults on school property, after another incident in recent weeks where two people entered and were able to wander around the grade school. The event drew questions and a crowd at a recent school board meeting.
