Charleston man indicted on attempted kidnapping, battery charges

KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) — A grand jury indicted a man accused of trying to kidnap two children along Hunt Avenue in Charleston.

According to a criminal complaint from Kanawha County Magistrate Court, the incident happened on Saturday, April 13, in the area of Hunt Avenue and Hazelwood Avenue near Washington Street West.

The complaint states the suspect, identified as Jody Jones, 45, of Charleston, allegedly approached two children, aged 7 and 5, along Hunt Avenue. The complaint states the children later told their mother that Jones had told them to follow them to his home and that he had toys for them to play with.

According to the complaint, witnesses said they witnessed the suspect grab the 5-year-old to keep them from running away. The complaint says the 7-year-old pulled the 5-year-old away from the suspect and the two children ran from him.

Jones was indicted on charges of attempted kidnapping and battery.

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