Man charge in attempted kidnapping of child at park

A Philadelphia man has been charged in connection with an attempted kidnapping of a child at Northside Park last week.

The man, Donzelle Clemons, 23, 225 Water Avenue, was arrested and charged with the attempted kidnapping, according to Philadelphia Police Chief Eric Lyons.

“This case is still under investigation,” Lyons said.

On Friday, Sept. 13, at about 5:30 p.m., officers responded to Northside Park in reference to a reported attempted kidnapping.

Upon arrival officers learned that a male approached a young girl in the park and began eating the young girl’s chips and asked if she wanted to go to his vehicle to play a “tickle” game, Lyons said. Fortunately, Lyons said the parents were sitting nearby.

“The young girl began to scream, and parents approached to see what was going on,” Lyons said.

Officers detained Clemons and discovered he had a history of mental illness.

Clemons was released from jail three days later.