Police: Attempted luring case at Hamblen a hoax

Spokane police say the girl who reported an attempted luring near Hamblen Elementary School Tuesday made up the story.
The child told school officials a man approached her near the wooded area of the school grounds on Crestline Street before school. She said he told her that her parents didn’t want her in school that day and she needed to come with him. He reached out to touch her shoulder and she ran away.
Police originally thought the case was connected to a similar attempted luring at the school in December, which police said matched the description the 9-year-old …

Spokane police say the girl who reported an attempted luring near Hamblen Elementary School Tuesday made up the story.

The child told school officials a man approached her near the wooded area of the school grounds on Crestline Street before school. She said he told her that her parents didn’t want her in school that day and she needed to come with him. He reached out to touch her shoulder and she ran away.

Police originally thought the case was connected to a similar attempted luring at the school in December, which police said matched the description the 9-year-old girl gave police Tuesday.

After investigating Tuesday’s report, however, police now believe the second supposed victim made up the story.

The incident in December is still an active case.

Police spokeswoman Monique Cotton said even though this report turned out to be false, parents, teachers and students should always report suspicious behavior.

“We’re always going to respond and we’re always going to investigate,” she said.