Investigators unsure if incident was attempted child abduction

CLARKESVILLE - Habersham County sheriff's investigators are trying to determine whether a weekend incident was an attempted child abduction or something else.<br /> <br /> Sgt. Richard Stein of the Habersham County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit said Wednesday that a resident north of Clarkesville reported Saturday morning's incident to Habersham County 9-1-1 nearly five hours after it happened.<br /> <br /> According to Stein, a resident on Midland Drive said a vehicle stopped in front of their home around 10:30 a.m., and the car's male occupant waved the children over.<br /> <br /> "They did what kids should do, which is yelled and immediately left the area," Stein said.<br /> <br /> The male driver was able to leave the area before the children's father could get outside. <br /> <br /> "It's critically important that if someone has information about the incident or the individual involved that they contact their local authorities," Stein said. "So far we just don't have anything tangible that we can use."<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, Stein said, the nearly five-hour delay in reporting the incident happened because the residents didn't have access to a telephone. Deputies were notified of the incident about 3:15 p.m. and arrived a short time later to gather information.<br /> <br /> That delay in reporting prevented officers from being able to issue a timely lookout on the vehicle, described only as a silver four-door car of an unknown make.<br /> <br /> Stein reminds everyone that even an inactive cell phone will dial 9-1-1.<br /> <br /> A photograph of a possible vehicle of interest was posted on social media by an individual.<br /> <br /> "We're not sure where that picture that's surfacing on Facebook actually is originating from," Stein said.<br /> <br /> A similar incident is said to have occurred in Stephens County, though it was not reported to law enforcement.<br /> <br /> "So far we have one confirmed incident," Stein said. "We're looking into it."<br /> <br /> There are several possibilities for Saturday's incident, Stein said.<br /> <br /> "It could be a person violating a permanent protective order or it could be random," Stein said. "There's also a chance that it could have been someone attempting to abduct children - we just don't know. Obviously we're concerned and we're looking into it."<br /> <br /> Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Habersham Dispatch at (706) 778-3911 and ask for an investigator to contact them regarding the case.<br /> <br /> If someone sees a crime in progress or believes there is any kind of danger, Stein said they should always dial 9-1-1.<br /> <br /> Confronting individuals is not encouraged.<br /> <br /> "They're better off just letting the police handle it," Stein said. "Just get the best description you can get, a tag number if possible or a picture, but don't put yourself in harm's way getting that information. You never know a person's intentions."