Seattle Police looking for man who attempted to grab a child at Highland Park playground

Seattle Police looking for man who attempted to grab a child at Highland Park playground

Around 5 p.m. on Aug. 2, police say a man in his 70s or 80s grabbed hold of a child near the bathrooms at Highland Park in West Seattle. The mother was able to get her son away.

SEATTLE - Seattle Police are looking for an elderly man who tried to grab a 4-year-old at a playground. 

Around 5 p.m. on Aug. 2, police say a man in his 70s or 80s grabbed hold of a child near the bathrooms at Highland Park in West Seattle.

The child's mother was able to get her son away.

The man is described as a white man who is approximately 70 or 80 and was last seen wearing a red shirt, black shorts and black tennis shoes. He is clean-shaven, bald and has sunspots on his head. 

Parents and guardians visiting the park on Friday said they were keeping a close eye on their children after hearing about the incident.

"It scares me. It scares me because there’s a six-year-old right here. It could have happened to her," said Nathiele Almeita, while visiting the park with a child. "I always say to her ‘Stay where Natchi can see you.’ Like all the time. If you can’t see me, means I can’t see you."

While investigators search for the suspect, adults said to let this incident be a reminder to children about stranger danger.

"Always talk to him about maybe some people are not good people," said Alejandra Romero while visiting the park with a child.

"They’re so innocent, they don’t have in their mind. They don’t know what we know. So, they just want to play and have fun, but we’re here to take care of them," said Almeita.

If anyone has information about this incident, please call 911 and reference incident #2023-220035.