Police have determined the case earlier this month of a man grabbing a young girl in her backyard in Lexington and putting his hand over her mouth was not an attempted abduction.
The Lexington Police Department concluded the case was not an abduction attempt. The determination came after a “thorough investigation” into a report of an attempted child abduction in the Wood Street area of the town, the agency said in a statement Friday.
“We want to assure the public that there is not ongoing threat to the community,” the department said in its statement. “We are continuing to communicate with and support the family involved.”
The elementary school-aged girl was playing in her backyard at a home on Wood Street around 2 p.m. on March 14 when the man grabbed her from behind and put his hand over her mouth. The girl was able to break free and run away. The man also ran away, the department said in another statement.
Police described the man as dressed in all black and wearing a ski mask, according to the department’s statement.
The incident on March 14 “prompted an immediate response and diligent investigation” by officers and detectives, who worked with regional detective groups to investigate any potential leads, the department noted.
The department is grateful for the Wood Street area and “patience and assistance of the community throughout this investigation,” the agency said.
“The safety and security of our residents remain our top priority, and we are committed to ensuring that Lexington remains a safe place for all. We encourage all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities,” the department added.