TITUSVILLE, Fla. — A Titusville man accused of trying to abduct a 13-year-old girl faced a judge Tuesday afternoon. A prosecutor described 43-year-old Kevin Harper as a danger to the public at his first appearance and the judge ordered he be held on no bond on an attempted kidnapping charge.
The prosecutor added that Harper acted like a man who didn't care if he got caught or not.
WFTV learned that when a police officer asked Harper if he was in the neighborhood for sex or drugs, he answered "sex."
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Meagan Bowen's family said they are relieved that Harper is in jail.
"If anything were ever to happen to her, it would be horrible," Meagan's mother, Deborah Elliot, said (full interview).
Elliott's 13-year-old didn't fall for the stranger's ruse. Monday evening, Meagan was walking through her Titusville neighborhood near Canaveral Avenue and Pine Street ( see map ) to buy an ice cup when a stranger drove up.
"'Jump in, your mom said that she wants to talk to you,'" Meagan told WFTV (full interview), describing the suspect's comments.
"Did you believe him for a second?" WFTV reporter Melonie Holt asked her.
"No," she replied.
Titusville police believe the man was Kevin Harper. Police found three knives, rope and gloves in his truck. Harper told police he needed the rope and gloves for his window cleaning business.
Harper made a first appearance Tuesday afternoon on charges of DUI, resisting an officer without violence and attempted kidnapping. He wore a special suit for his own protection. The prosecutor, however, was more interested in protecting the public.
Meagan would never ride with a stranger. She and her mom have a "safe word," because, at the age of six, Meagan got in a car and didn't see her mom for 60 days. Meagan's mom told WFTV it was a custodial issue.
"If anyone was to come and get her, they have to know the password," Deborah Elliot said.
But the man who tried to pick up Meagan was persistent. He returned when she was with a friend and an adult neighbor.
"'She got out and said, 'You shouldn't be messing with these little girls,'" Meagan said, describing the neighbor's comment.
By the time Harper returned again, police had arrived.
"She did exactly what she was supposed to do," Deborah Elliot said.
Harper denied any wrongdoing as he was led away to the Brevard County jail Monday night (raw video | images).
"You got the wrong idea and the wrong guy," Harper told WFTV.
Titusville police confirmed Harper was arrested for a cruelty against a child on a 10-year-old in 2002. He was accused of pushing the child to the ground. The charge was later dropped, because witnesses would not cooperate.
Harper's arraignment is on July 27.
Previous Stories: June 15, 2010: Cops: Attempted Abduction Suspect Had Knives, Ropes
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