Sunshine Coast RCMP are looking for witnesses to a suspicious occurrence at Sargeant Bay Provincial Park where a seven-year-old boy was allegedly approached by an unknown woman offering cake if the child came home with her.
According to RCMP, the incident took place on June 16 between 2 and 2:30 p.m. while the seven-year-old and his family were enjoying the beach in Halfmoon Bay.
The boy and his mother were briefly separated near the fish ladder, a press release from Sunshine Coast RCMP stated. While they were separated, the boy indicated that he was approached by a woman who asked him to join her for a piece of cake at her house to which he refused.
Giddy Withington of Coast Martial Arts told Coast Reporter the young boy was enrolled in their bully proofing course and that the child's strong voice reaction learned in class caused the woman to leave the area.
Withington also noted the woman in question had just come out of the trail and behind her was a man waiting at the entrance to the trail.
The incident was reported to RCMP and this week they're seeking the public's assistance to find the woman who allegedly approached the boy.
The woman is described as Caucasian, approximately 60 years old, 5'10 tall with shoulder length white hair and long pink fingernails. At the time of the incident she was wearing a red sweater with black and white striped pants.
In addition the boy's mother indicated while she was looking for her son, another woman who was climbing the large rock with a younger girl, heard her calling for her son and pointed to his location which was in the creek near the fish ladder. Police would like to speak to this woman, said RCMP.
Officers say their investigation into the matter does not indicate an active threat to children in the area, but noted they would like to speak with any potential witnesses as well as the above described woman who approached the boy.
If you were at Sargeant Bay Provincial Park at the time of the incident or have any information about what happened you are asked to call Sunshine Coast RCMP at 604-885-2266 and speak with Sgt. Russ Howard or Const. Tracey Dubnyk.
