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Man arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap girl at Liberty Park

Posted at 10:51 AM, Jul 25, 2014
and last updated 2014-07-25 12:52:55-04

SALT LAKE CITY – A man was arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap a 6-year-old girl at Liberty Park on Thursday night.

Police say the man, identified as 42-year-old Trevor Daniel Merkley, grabbed onto a 6-year-old girl’s shoulder and began to guide her away from her family during holiday celebrations at Liberty Park.

A family friend saw what was happening, police say, and went over and grabbed hold of the girl to stop her from leaving with Merkley, but he continued to try to talk to the girl and get her to leave with him.

An adult family member of the girl alerted a nearby police officer, who interviewed Merkley and booked him for felony child kidnapping.