Madison investigation finds no evidence of attempted kidnapping

DANIELSVILLE, Ga. — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office says an investigation into a reported attempted kidnapping at the Madison County Recreation Department has found no evidence that an attempted abduction occurred.

Sheriff J. Michael Moore announced Thursday that investigators completed multiple interviews and reviewed surveillance video following Tuesday’s report that an adult male attempted to kidnap a 3-year-old child from a playground at the recreation department.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies initially responded after receiving a complaint that led officers to believe an attempted kidnapping had just occurred. The child’s parent got the child to safety, and the suspect remained at the scene until deputies arrived.

The suspect, identified by the sheriff’s office as Steven Watts, was taken into custody Tuesday on an investigative hold while detectives examined the allegations.

Moore said investigators later determined Watts appeared to be under the influence of illegal drugs and experiencing a possible mental health crisis. Interviews with people who know Watts indicated he was coming down from multiple days of methamphetamine use, according to the sheriff.

After reviewing surveillance footage from the recreation department, investigators concluded the video did not support the allegations reported to responding deputies.

“The videos did not confirm the allegations that was made to the responding deputies by the complainant,” Moore said in a written statement.

Moore said the initial information provided by the complainant would have led “any reasonable officer to believe an attempt of kidnapping just took place.” He added that Watts was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for his actions because of his level of intoxication.

Watts remains in the Madison County Jail on an unrelated criminal trespass charge and has pending probation violation warrants from another jurisdiction, according to the sheriff’s office.

Following interviews, review of surveillance footage and consultation with the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, investigators concluded the reported attempted kidnapping allegation was unfounded.

The sheriff’s office said the complete investigative file will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for further review.

On Wednesday, before the investigation concluded, Moore had assured the public there was no imminent threat to visitors at the Madison County Recreation Department and asked residents to remain patient while detectives completed their investigation.