News Good Samaritan Beaten After Attempting to Help Lost Toddler Find Parents - Page 2

Pitt Gorilla · 06-29-2017, 08:51 AM

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...m_npd_nn_fb_nn

A good Samaritan was mistaken for a kidnapper — and beaten by the parents — in a Florida park after trying to help a lost toddler, police said.

The 2-year-old had become separated from her folks during a softball game on Saturday at Southwest Sports Complex in Lakeland, and was spotted by a man at the park with his friends, according to a police incident report published Sunday.

Believing she was lost, the man asked the child where her parents were and walked around the premises with her in hopes she could point them out.

But when the child's father was alerted by bystanders that his daughter was being led away by a stranger, the well-intentioned act was mistaken for a kidnapping attempt.

"I saw this man with my daughter in his hands walking toward the parking lot. What would you do?" the father told NBC affiliate WFLA in a phone interview. "I wanted to kill him!"

Thinking they were stopping a crime, the father and two friends approached the stranger: As his friends took the toddler away, the father punched the good Samaritan "probably five or six times," he told WFLA.

"I thought he was trying to take my daughter," the protective dad told the station.

In a 911 call released to the media, the mother also admits to hitting the man who was with her daughter, and says she did not immediately believe that the incident was simply a misunderstanding.

Lakeland Police, on the other hand, said they were confident that the man was just trying to help the girl.

"An independent witness who didn't know the family or anybody said they saw him pointing out different males saying 'is that your father?'" Lakeland Police Sgt. Gary Gross said in an interview with WFLA.

Police also said the good Samaritan had no prior criminal history and that they were able to verify that he had been at the park with friends.

"It’s understandable how parents can possibly be upset in a situation involving a lost child. However, this incident truly involved a good Samaritan trying to assist a lost child finding their parents," the police report read.

Despite the man's innocence, several posts were published on social media defaming his character. Family and friends of the toddler posted the man's name, photo, and place of employment online, calling him a "child predator."

No charges have been filed against the parents.

When contacted by WFLA, the good Samaritan declined to comment, citing safety concerns and telling reporters he'd left town with his family.

"This guy is a father, a local businessman, has two children, was trying to help this child but they turned it completely around," Gross told the station, "And that's not right."

Still, when asked whether he believed the man's innocence, the child's father said no.

"No, hell no, I don't," he said over the phone, "Not at all."

**ptlyon** · 06-29-2017, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I was in the mall a couple of years back, and saw a toddler-type kid wandering around. I watched for a few minutes and was pretty sure that the kid was lost, so I did what any reasonable male would do. I kept an eye on her since she was near the exterior doors, but went and told the teenage girl at the Cinnabon to call mall security, staying at least 20 feet from the child at all times.

How was the Cinnabon?

Eleazar · 06-29-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Have you never been to a softball game? Or a little league baseball game? Half the parents there just let their kids run around and do whatever. Bunch of ****ing idiots.

Of course I have, and of course that's that they are.

I am just saying that if this kid is only 2 and both parents are present, why was neither one watching her?

I think the parents are probably angry that the incident attracted media attention to the fact that they were so negligent, more than anything.

Rooster · 06-29-2017, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

How was the Cinnabon?

That's the real $64,000 question.

KCUnited · 06-29-2017, 09:35 AM

From what I read yesterday, apparently the dad was playing in the game and mom was supposed to be watching the kid. From some of the Facebook comments, it also sounded like it may have been one of those beer league games and that may have contributed to the dad's reaction.

Pasta Little Brioni · 06-29-2017, 09:47 AM

Softball douche...makes sense

TLO · 06-29-2017, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Softball douche...makes sense

Amen

**DaFace** · 06-29-2017, 09:50 AM

Parents have gone insane these past couple decades.

**Rain Man** · 06-29-2017, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

How was the Cinnabon?

I really like Cinnabon. Sadly, it's closed at that mall now, and perhaps I helped cause that. I try to watch my weight and so hadn't had a Cinnabon in years.

The good news is that a new gourmet cinnamon roll place has opened in another part of the mall, and I've been anticipating giving it a try.

**Rain Man** · 06-29-2017, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Police also said the good Samaritan had no prior criminal history and that they were able to verify that he had been at the park with friends.

"It’s understandable how parents can possibly be upset in a situation involving a lost child. However, this incident truly involved a good Samaritan trying to assist a lost child finding their parents," the police report read.

Despite the man's innocence, several posts were published on social media defaming his character. Family and friends of the toddler posted the man's name, photo, and place of employment online, calling him a "child predator."

If I was the good samaritan, I'd probably forgive the punch as long as they paid for any medical stuff. But posting a bunch of defamatory stuff on social media is a major problem. The good samaritan is probably justified in lawyering up with some aggressive lawyers...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Still, when asked whether he believed the man's innocence, the child's father said no.

"No, hell no, I don't," he said over the phone, "Not at all."

...and it sounds like the dad is already getting advice from his attorney.

NJChiefsFan · 06-29-2017, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

From what I read yesterday, apparently the dad was playing in the game and mom was supposed to be watching the kid. From some of the Facebook comments, it also sounded like it may have been one of those beer league games and that may have contributed to the dad's reaction.

What contributed to their reaction after the fact?

KCUnited · 06-29-2017, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

What contributed to their reaction after the fact?

Being from Florida is probably a safe bet.

**Rain Man** · 06-29-2017, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

What contributed to their reaction after the fact?

Probably more beer.

NJChiefsFan · 06-29-2017, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Being from Florida is probably a safe bet.

It's always good to try and destroy someone's life when there is a chance they were trying to do you the ultimate favor.

Halfcan · 06-29-2017, 10:35 AM

Parents drop their children off every day and use the public library as their babysitter. They don't send them with a sack lunch or money so they are hungry all day. They have no idea what the kids do all day, who they are talking with or if they are safe.

Modern day parenting.

Sure-Oz · 06-29-2017, 10:41 AM

Love that the dumbass family and friends gave out this guys personal info and defamed him on social media. Stupid asses

06-29-2017, 08:51 AM
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2940194	Good Samaritan Beaten After Attempting to Help Lost Toddler Find Parents http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...m_npd_nn_fb_nn A good Samaritan was mistaken for a kidnapper — and beaten by the parents — in a Florida park after trying to help a lost toddler, police said. The 2-year-old had become separated from her folks during a softball game on Saturday at Southwest Sports Complex in Lakeland, and was spotted by a man at the park with his friends, according to a police incident report published Sunday. Believing she was lost, the man asked the child where her parents were and walked around the premises with her in hopes she could point them out. But when the child's father was alerted by bystanders that his daughter was being led away by a stranger, the well-intentioned act was mistaken for a kidnapping attempt. "I saw this man with my daughter in his hands walking toward the parking lot. What would you do?" the father told NBC affiliate WFLA in a phone interview. "I wanted to kill him!" Thinking they were stopping a crime, the father and two friends approached the stranger: As his friends took the toddler away, the father punched the good Samaritan "probably five or six times," he told WFLA. "I thought he was trying to take my daughter," the protective dad told the station. In a 911 call released to the media, the mother also admits to hitting the man who was with her daughter, and says she did not immediately believe that the incident was simply a misunderstanding. Lakeland Police, on the other hand, said they were confident that the man was just trying to help the girl. "An independent witness who didn't know the family or anybody said they saw him pointing out different males saying 'is that your father?'" Lakeland Police Sgt. Gary Gross said in an interview with WFLA. Police also said the good Samaritan had no prior criminal history and that they were able to verify that he had been at the park with friends. "It’s understandable how parents can possibly be upset in a situation involving a lost child. However, this incident truly involved a good Samaritan trying to assist a lost child finding their parents," the police report read. Despite the man's innocence, several posts were published on social media defaming his character. Family and friends of the toddler posted the man's name, photo, and place of employment online, calling him a "child predator." No charges have been filed against the parents. When contacted by WFLA, the good Samaritan declined to comment, citing safety concerns and telling reporters he'd left town with his family. "This guy is a father, a local businessman, has two children, was trying to help this child but they turned it completely around," Gross told the station, "And that's not right." Still, when asked whether he believed the man's innocence, the child's father said no. "No, hell no, I don't," he said over the phone, "Not at all."
Posts: 46,032

06-29-2017, 09:35 AM	#19
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2278244	From what I read yesterday, apparently the dad was playing in the game and mom was supposed to be watching the kid. From some of the Facebook comments, it also sounded like it may have been one of those beer league games and that may have contributed to the dad's reaction.
Posts: 33,925

06-29-2017, 09:47 AM	#20
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $3968880	Softball douche...makes sense __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
Posts: 68,554

06-29-2017, 09:50 AM	#22
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2016899	Parents have gone insane these past couple decades.
Posts: 51,773

06-29-2017, 10:35 AM	#29
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	Parents drop their children off every day and use the public library as their babysitter. They don't send them with a sack lunch or money so they are hungry all day. They have no idea what the kids do all day, who they are talking with or if they are safe. Modern day parenting.
Posts: 43,200