Sheriff’s investigators have determined that the reported harassment of a child at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas did not occur, authorities announced on Thursday, May 5.

The alleged incident was reported to have occurred at about 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1, when a mother claimed that an unidentified man took her 5-year-old daughter’s hand and attempted to leave with her, the San Diego County Sheriff’s stated. The mother then allegedly took her daughter’s hand and yelled at the man.

Authorities called for the public’s help in identifying the man based on an initial description at the time. But the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station has since determined that the incident did not take place.

“After a comprehensive investigation, detectives with the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station have determined the May 1 incident at Moonlight Beach did not occur,” the Sheriff’s Department stated in a follow-up report. “There is no suspect at large and no danger to the community.”

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