Arrest Rate For Attempted Abductions Spurs Anger
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Tempers flared Saturday afternoon on Chicago's South Side at a summit designed to find out why the child abduction rate in the Chicago area is so high while the arrest rate is so low.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Nancy Harty reports, relatives of 12-year-old Jahmeshia Conner vented their frustration over the lack of progress in finding who abducted, sexually assaulted and strangled her in 2009.
A recent published report says there have been 530 attempted child abductions over the last three years and the arrest rate is five percent.
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Representatives from the Chicago Police Department say officers frequently have little evidence to go on.
An assistant Cook County state's attorney says attempted abductions are tough to prosecute, even when a suspect is caught in the act, because prosecutors must prove criminal intent.
Shauna Bolicker says the office has prosecuted 47 of the 56 abduction cases they've been presented with since 2007.
A number of the audience members say they believe police don't take minority kidnappings as seriously as they do when the victims are white.
Chicago Police Cmdr. Robert Hargesheimer says all attempted abduction cases get assigned a detective and a follow-up investigation.
U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) concluded the three hour meeting at Kennedy King College by saying more work is needed and information will prevent future abductions.
