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Boy, 8, abducted from bus stop in Charles County
In Charles County, an unsettling incident has parents and neighbors on edge. An 8-year-old boy was abducted near his bus stop, but thanks to the quick thinking of a local resident, the child is safe and the suspect is in custody. FOX 5’s Sierra Fox has the details on this alarming situation and the community’s reaction.
BRYANS ROAD, Md. - A routine school morning turned alarming in Bryans Road after an 8-year-old boy was abducted near his bus stop.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office reports that at approximately 8:35 a.m. on December 19, Krystal Ninette Clay, 64, of Bryans Road, stopped in her white Chevrolet Malibu and asked the child to get into her car. Initially hesitant, the boy eventually complied.
Clay drove a short distance and stopped in the middle of Chapman’s Landing Road to search for her phone. A passerby noticed the vehicle sitting in the road and approached.
She saw the boy crying and immediately asked if he was okay. The child told her he was not and needed help.
The concerned woman acted quickly, calling 9-1-1. Responding officers determined that Clay and the child did not know each other and that she had no valid reason to pick him up. Clay claimed she was giving the boy a ride to school.
Clay was arrested on the scene and has been charged with abduction of a child under 12, which is a felony. The child was unharmed and safely reunited with a parent.
A neighbor who lives in the area, Pastor Larry Palmer, told FOX 5, "My first thought was that she was probably somewhat derailed. Well, you have to be to abduct a child, but like anyone else, you pray for them and hope that this becomes a wake-up call for her and the parents as well."
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office praised the Good Samaritan for her quick thinking, saying her actions were instrumental in protecting the child and ensuring Clay’s timely arrest.
Safety Tips from Authorities for Parents and Children:
• Always ask for permission: Children should seek permission from a trusted adult before accepting rides.
• Stay alert and aware: Walk away from strangers offering rides and seek help from a safe adult or public space.
• Know who to trust: Teach children to recognize safe people, like school staff or law enforcement.
• Trust instincts: If something feels wrong, children should find safety and call 9-1-1.
The Sheriff’s Office is urging parents to speak with their children about safety and encourages the public to report suspicious activity.