The Springfield Police Department is investigating an attempted abduction of a child at the Dream Center, 829 W. Atlantic St. The incident occurred on April 12.
Officers responded to a call at 7:02 p.m. When they arrived, they were told a male attempted to get a child to leave with him, but was stopped by the child’s father. The suspect and the child do not know each other. The male suspect left the area on foot, accompanied by a female, before officers arrived. The child was not harmed in the incident.
Employees of the Dream Center identified the suspect as Danny R. Piper, 48, from Springfield. Officers located Piper a short time later. He was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail. Police determined the female who accompanied Piper was not involved and she was released.
Piper has been charged with enticement of a child and attempted child kidnapping. He is being held in the Greene County Jail with no bond. Investigators are concerned there might be other similar incidents in the area involving Piper that have not been reported. The Springfield Police Department encourages potential victims or their parents to report any incidents.
The Springfield Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is continuing to investigate. Call 417-864-1810 with any additional information. To make an anonymous call, use the Crime Stoppers hotline: 417-869-TIPS (8477).
