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Police: Possible abduction attempt turns out to be case of mistaken identity

OVIEDO, Fla. — An elderly man who police initially thought was trying to kidnap a 7-year-old girl actually approached the wrong child and was there to pick up his granddaughter, investigators said.

After releasing details about the possible attempted abduction, police they said received a call from a man who indicated his elderly father was in the same area Friday afternoon to pick up his granddaughter. The man explained that he believes his father is having memory loss issues and may have approached the wrong child.

The 7-year-old girl and her older brother were riding their bikes home from Lawton Elementary School when the elderly man stopped them, according to police. Investigators said the man had the trunk of his sedan open and asked the girl if she would put her bike in his trunk. When the pair continued riding past him, he left, assuming they preferred to ride their bikes home.

After interviewing the elderly man, police learned he was asked to pick up his granddaughter, who was also riding her bike from Lawton Elementary School. Officials said they have determined that it's a case of mistaken identity.

The 7-year-old's father, Bryan Holley, told WFTV he is relieved to know that the incident was just a mix-up.

"It makes me feel a lot better knowing there's not someone out here trying to pick up kids," Holley said.

The elderly man's granddaughter ended up getting a ride home from a neighbor, police said.