Man arrested for Attempted Kidnapping at Elementary School
Photo: Stock Image
Originally Published By: Sonora PD
Image of arrest | Sonora PD
“On August 25, 2023, at approximately 2:15 PM, our office was notified by Sonora Elementary School Staff that an unknown male subject was just at the campus and was attempting to sign a student out of the school that was not on the paperwork.
Officers arrived on scene and learned that the suspect, 59-year-old William Blair Jr. of Groveland, had already left the campus. Through the investigation, Officers learned that Blair was at the campus on 8/23/2023 and asked to sign the student out. Blair left the campus before staff was able to verify his identity and if he was on the students paperwork as an authorized person to pick-up from school.
Blair attempted to sign the same student out again today, but was again denied and he left the campus. During the course of the investigation, Officers learned Blair had no relation to the student or the students family. Officer’s were able to contact Blair and arranged to meet him to obtain a statement. Blair was subsequently arrested without incident.
Blair was transported to the Dambacher Detention Facility were he was booked on 2 counts of attempted child abduction. Blair’s bail has been set at $100,000.
This incident appears to be an isolated incident and there is no information at this time that other students were in any danger. Thanks to the attention to detail by Sonora Elementary Staff, a serious incident was averted.
The investigation is on-going and no further information will be released at this time. “Individuals identified herein were arrested on suspicion of the crimes for which they have been charged. All such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
