Daniel C. Vasey, 38, is accused of attempting to kidnap a 7-year-old girl visiting Portland with her family from out of state, allegedly grabbing the child's arm and lifting her off the ground during a struggle with her mother before the girl's father and several bystanders intervened, authorities said.
Background
The incident unfolded Saturday evening near Southwest Naito Parkway in downtown Portland. According to the Portland Police Bureau, emergency dispatchers first received reports at 6:51 p.m. of a naked man running through the area. Four minutes later, callers reported the man had attempted to punch someone in the head.
Officers assigned to the Central Precinct were unavailable because they were handling other calls, including a disturbance involving a gun, authorities said. When dispatchers received a third emergency call at 7:03 p.m., officers from the North Precinct were dispatched to the scene.
That caller reported the man had grabbed a young girl and was pulling her away from her mother. The child's family was visiting Portland from out of state when the alleged attack occurred, according to police.
The Investigation
Police said Vasey was naked throughout the entire incident. When the suspect grabbed the 7-year-old's arm, her mother immediately intervened, authorities said. "Her mother grabbed her other arm and tried to prevent Vasey from taking the 7-year-old," the Portland Police Bureau release stated. "The struggle over the girl was so significant that she was lifted off the ground."
The child's father and multiple bystanders rushed to help, striking and pulling on the suspect while attempting to free the child, according to police. At least one bystander deployed pepper spray to stop Vasey from threatening others.
Officers arrived moments later and found Vasey wading naked in the Willamette River, where police took him into custody without incident. Paramedics treated the girl at the scene for scratches, but she was not seriously injured and did not require hospitalization, authorities said.
The Charges
Vasey is charged with one count each of first-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree attempted kidnapping, first-degree custodial interference, third-degree assault and harassment, according to the Portland Police Bureau. A search of Oregon court records did not show any prior criminal convictions for Vasey.
KOIN local CBS affiliate spoke with a witness who called 911 during the incident. "Naked guy had come up and grabbed the little girl, and I heard her screaming, and I saw the mom come up trying to push him off of her and hitting him a couple times," the witness told the station. "That must have been really scary for that little girl as well."
The Oregonian reported that bystanders continued attacking Vasey while officers were still en route, spraying him with pepper spray and striking him until he released the child.
Key Takeaways
- Daniel C. Vasey, 38, allegedly grabbed a 7-year-old girl's arm and lifted her off the ground during an attempted kidnapping in Portland
- The girl's mother fought to keep hold of her daughter while the child's father and bystanders intervened
- Officers found Vasey wading naked in the Willamette River when they arrived at the scene
- The child was treated for scratches at the scene and did not require hospitalization
What's Next
Vasey remains in custody pending arraignment. The Portland Police Bureau's Special Victims Unit is handling the investigation. Detectives are continuing to gather evidence and witness statements to build their case.
Detectives urge anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Portland Police Bureau's non-emergency line.