HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) - A “suspicious person” sought in Holland after allegedly motioning for, and calling out to, a seven-year-old boy to come to his car on Monday afternoon has been apparently resolved to the satisfaction of all involved.
Authorities say that the unnamed youth had just been dropped off outside of his 19th Street home near VanRaalte Avenue around 3 PM, and had started walking towards the nearby Boys and Girls Club building, when a man drove his blue Pontiac along the roadway where the child was. The child’s aunt was leaving her nearby home, spotted the situation, and told the boy to run to the club immediately, which he did safely. The suspect drove off without further incident.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Holland Public Safety Captain Jack Dystra, "Late yesterday (Wednesday), a man came forward and explained that he was the person in the vehicle involved in this incident however he had no ill intentions. The information this man provided was investigated and police feel he had no intention on of hurting the boy and it was a case of mistaken identity of a family member’s son.
"The man explained that he had just picked up his son from a school in the area and he was bringing his son home when he noticed the young boy walking who is similar age in age to his. He noticed that the boy did not have a winter coat on and he thought he recognized the boy as a relative. He yelled the boy’s name and realized the boy did not answer to the name. He turned around to make sure the boy heard him and to make sure the boy was OK when he noticed the complainant and the fact that she was familiar with the boy so he left the area. A family member mentioned the news report of the incident and that is when the subject realized he was the person of interest in this case."
Dykstra didn't disclose the name of the man involved, and added that the case is now considered closed.