Man accused of trying to kidnap a girl from an Ogden school playground

A man is being held in the Weber County jail, accused of attempting to kidnap an 11-year-old girl from an Ogden elementary school playground.

According to a statement from the Ogden Police, the 41-year-old man approached the girl on the playground Tuesday, grabbed her, and pulled her away as if trying to leave. A school employee confronted the man, who let go of the girl — which gave the employee time to usher the children who were on the playground into a nearby classroom.

The man then started punching a window of the school building, police said, apparently trying to force his way inside. That’s when the employee “produced a firearm,” holding the man off while calling 911. The employee holds a concealed-carry permit, police said, and was in lawful possession of the firearm at the time.

Police said officers arrived at the school shortly after receiving the 911 call and, “after a brief struggle,” took the man into custody.

Investigators have not found any link between the man and the young victim, police said. Police are still investigating.

The man was booked into the Weber County jail on one count of child kidnapping, a first-degree felony. The count carries a potential prison sentence of five years to life.