Suspect who allegedly attempted to kidnap a child appears in court

VANCOUVER, Washington – A man accused of attempting to kidnap an 11-year-old girl in a Vancouver park on Sunday made his first court appearance Wednesday.

Police said they tracked down 35-year-old Michael McGlothlin using a doorbell camera. McGlothlin was initially booked into the Clark County Jail on attempted kidnapping, but the charges later changed. McGlothlin is now charged with false imprisonment and fourth-degree assault.

On Wednesday, the state asked the judge in court to expand the charge to include attempted kidnapping. The request was denied. The judge said the court was “unable to establish the offense of second-degree kidnapping because the clear language of the definitions was not met.”

Surveillance video from a home near Lieser Crest Park, where the incident occurred, shows a man getting out of a car and then allegedly trying to grab an 11-year-old girl. The video then shows him jumping over a fence to escape as the girl begins to scream.

“She was screaming, 'I don't know you! Get away from me. Get away from me!'” a woman who witnessed part of the incident told KGW.

McGlothlin was arrested two days later while walking near Northeast 18th Street and Northeast 148th Avenue – a relief to neighbors, including Leon Nilsen, who lives across the street. He said his daughter was there at the time.

“She looked up and said, 'What the hell is going on here?'” Nilsen said. “I'm really thrilled that the police were able to arrest him.”

“The fact that they caught him and there was a video of it was great; that's just great,” added Erik Bjork, who also lives near the park.

McGlothlin has a long criminal history, with most of the offenses – including burglary, assault and several no-contact violations – committed 15 years ago. On Wednesday, the judge set his bail at $20,000, requiring GPS monitoring and prohibiting him from having contact with minors.

McGlothlin's mother, who appeared in court Wednesday, told KGW that it was a “misunderstanding” and that McGlothlin believed the 11-year-old girl was his daughter, whom he had not seen in two years. That statement has not been confirmed by authorities.

KGW spoke to a family member of the young girl who said the whole incident has deeply affected the entire family.

McGlothlin is due back in court in two weeks.