An elementary school in West Hills was briefly put on lockdown after an attempted kidnapping of a toddler unfolded just off campus grounds, police confirmed to KTLA.
The incident occurred just after 2 p.m. when family members of a student at Enadia Way Elementary School were walking to the campus to pick up their children.
In a message to families, school and district officials said that a man wearing a hospital bracelet followed the family from Sherman Way onto Royer Avenue and tried to kidnap their toddler.
“Fortunately, the mothers were able to wrestle their child from his arms,” officials said.
Terrified, the family ran to the school and sheltered inside the main office where 911 was immediately called.
School officials initiated the lockdown, delaying dismissal of students until officers with the Los Angeles Police Department gave the “all clear.”
Police said that during the approximately 40-minute lockdown, a man, described as a heavyset Hispanic male, standing around 5 feet 10 inches tall, was taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Officials said during the incident, school staff and faculty followed the lockdown procedures and were in constant communication, as well as being in contact with district operations and police.
“I regret that I was not able to inform parents during the lockdown, but my main priority was safety of the children and staff until the LAPD gave us the all clear and the increasing number of parents arriving for dismissal was complicating matters,” the school’s principal said in the message.
The lockdown has since been lifted, and all operations are back to normal.
LAPD said an investigation into the incident is ongoing and that no further details were available.
