FL- Parents Claim Child was Almost Abducted 2 Weeks Ago

10-26-2009 Florida:

ORANGE PARK, FL -- First Coast News spoke to the parents who say their child was almost abducted about two weeks before Somer Thompson disappeared. They visited Somer's home to pay their respects and visit Diena, Somer's mom.

The parents tell First Coast News' Monica Landeros their 5-year-old was approached by three people in a car just a block from the vacant home on Gano Avenue being investigated.

Little Kaylee Randle signed a poster for Somer Thompson. Her parents feel a bond with the Thompsons, because they believe Kaylee Randle was almost abducted two weeks before Somer was murdered.

"We were having a yard sale and she was riding her bike and she just took off," said Kaylee's father James Brothroyd.

Police say that's when the girl said three people in a car tried to lure her inside.

James said the people spoke to Kaylee, saying "your mom wants us to take you home, get in the car."

Parents James and April said a passerby scared away the car. They reported it to police, but they say a warning was never put out in the neighborhood.

"It's outrageous to me nothing was done!" added James.

The family is all the more concerned because they live down the block from the vacant house being investigated on Gano Ave.

April, Kaylee's mother, said "My daughter hasn't been outside by herself. My son is 10, we used to let them be outside, we don't do that no more."

The Clay County Sheriff's Department was initially looking for a blue car, but several days ago, they believed it had nothing to do with Somer's Disappearance.

Still, the parents say if an alert had been put out a few weeks ago, maybe parents here would have been more vigilant and Somer would still be safe at home.

Somer disappeared on her walk home from school Monday afternoon. Detectives scoured a Georgia landfill and found a child's remains.

At a Thursday morning news conference, authorities confirmed that the remains found were that of the missing 7-year-old. ..Source.. by Taren Reed and Monica Landeros