Seattle police arrested a 47-year-old man this morning after a grabbed a four-year-old child as she was walking with her parents downtown.
Around 10:30 AM, a couple were walking with their four-year-old daughter near 7th Avenue and Stewart Street when the suspect approached them and shoved the child’s father. The suspect then grabbed the child by the arm and stepped between her and her parents.
The father confronted the suspect, distracting him while the mother grabbed their daughter and fled. The suspect then left the scene.
Officers found the suspect a short distance away and took him into custody. He appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis and was taken to an area hospital for a mental health evaluation.
SPD’s Crisis Response Team is conducting follow-up on the case.