Parents countywide should be cautious after a “suspicious circumstance” reported Monday in Opp could have been an attempted kidnapping.

Opp chief Nicky Carnley said Tuesday the incident occurred on Brown Street when a 10-year-old child walked to the family mailbox about at 3:45 Monday afternoon to retrieve the day’s mail.

“Then, an individual – who was described as a white male in his 30s on a long-bodied red car – pulled up and asked the child if they wanted a ride,” Carnley said. “The victim didn’t know the man, so of course, she said ‘no’ and immediately ran back inside the house.”

Carnley said the vehicle left, and the child’s parents reported the incident to police. He said the vehicle was traveling north, but no other identifying information was obtained.

“We don’t know exactly what (the driver’s) intentions were, but would suspect it wasn’t good,” he said. “This is a prime example of why parents need to continue to reinforce the fact of don’t talk to strangers.

“Remind your children if someone approaches them and makes an inappropriate comment or request, they need to report it to a responsible adult, be it to you as a parent, a relative or any adult they trust,” Carnley said. “Then, as the adult, you should immediately report the incident to law enforcement.”