TOLEDO, Ohio — A Toledo couple is issuing an apology to the community after their 10-year-old son fabricated a story about being nearly abducted while walking home from a local boxing gym. The parents, Shavania and her husband, expressed their regret following an investigation by the Toledo Police Department that disproved the child’s claims.
The boy had told his parents that he was approached by someone near Sherman and Walnut streets as he made his way home from the gym. The story quickly drew the attention of local authorities, prompting a thorough investigation.
“I wanted to apologize to the community because I do not want to create an uproar,” said Shavania Davis, visibly distressed. “I was genuinely just concerned about my child. I don’t want any voices, especially in my community, to go unheard because of what my son did.”
The investigation, which included a review of surveillance footage from three locations as well as Toledo Police Department cameras, revealed that there was no evidence to support the boy’s claim. The footage showed the child walking without any interaction with anyone along his route. At one point, the boy was even seen setting down his bag but continued walking alone—no one ever approached him, and no suspicious activity was recorded.
“It was very clear that my son was not about to be abducted,” said Shavania Davis. “I was shocked to find out that he had lied about the entire thing.”
Detectives shared their findings with the parents, who were invited downtown to view the video footage for themselves. Despite the alarming nature of the claim, the investigation confirmed that the child’s story was fabricated.
As a result, the parents are now focused on having a serious conversation with their son. “I want to know why he did this,” Shavania Davis added. “This is serious. I don’t understand why he would lie about something like that.”
The incident comes on the heels of another reported case, where two young girls claimed that a man had approached them in their backyard while they played on a trampoline. Authorities are continuing to investigate that case, which has raised concerns in the community about child safety.
As of now, police are urging anyone with additional information related to either incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111.
Though the investigation into the boy’s false claim has been resolved, the community remains on edge after the other report of suspicious activity. Authorities are reminding residents to stay vigilant and report any concerns regarding child safety.
This incident has served as a reminder of the potential consequences of making false claims, especially when it comes to matters as serious as child abduction. The Toledo Police Department continues to encourage families to communicate openly with their children and report any suspicious activity to help keep their communities safe.