Update, 9/7: Newburgh police have called off the investigation, telling ABC News yesterday that the incident was a prank fabricated by children who claimed to witness the abduction. The Times Herald-Record reports that police studied videos from public surveillance cameras and private security systems before deciding that the incident was a false report.
New York State is on the lookout today for a five- or six-year-old girl who, according to witnesses, was abducted from outside a Newburgh school. But no name or photo of the girl has been released, and an Amber Alert issued late yesterday has been cancelled -- because, according to multiple news accounts, no one has filed a missing-person report with the police.
In a release issued early Thursday, Newburgh Police states they had requested the alert during the early stages of investigation of the investigation. They said they have yet to receive a missing person's report or been able to identify additional witnesses to the alleged abduction, which was reported by a group of playing children, ages 5-11.
A release from the state Amber Alert system describes the incident:
DUE TO THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS AMBER ALERT, (SPECIFICALLY, NO IDENTIFIED CHILD HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING) THE AMBER ALERT ACTIVATION IS BEING CANCELLED. THE CITY OF NEWBURGH POLICE DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUING THE INVESTIGATION.
The City of Newburgh Police has activated the New York State AMBER Alert and is investigating a confirmed child abduction that occurred at South Jr High School 33 Monument Street, in Newburgh, NY at about 3:50 PM on 9/5/2012.
The CHILD, is a Black female, approximately 5 years old with long, black hair. She is approximately 3 feet tall. was last seen wearing short sleeve bright pink shirt.
The SUSPECT, is a Hispanic male. This is one of two suspects.
The SUSPECT, is a Hispanic male with long, black hair. The suspect was last seen wearing a black shirt and black fitted baseball cap. This second suspect is light skinned.
The VEHICLE has been identified as black or dark pickup truck. with possible green writing on it.
Two Hispanic males, one with long black hair, grabbed and forced child into truck. Suspect held hand over child's mouth to stop screaming.
Anyone with any information on this abduction is asked to call the City of Newburgh Police at (866)N Y S-AMBER or dial 911 to provide information on a report or sighting.
