Investigators with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office are looking for a man who allegedly tried to kidnap an 8-year-old on Sunday on Reed Road.

The child was crossing the road when a white male wearing a wig approached her in a four-door white car, according to a press release from TCSO. The reports said the male exited the vehicle and attempted to grab the child’s leg, but the girl was able to get away.

The girl started screaming and relatives ran outside. According to the report, the man told her he was going to come back and get her. He was later spotted in the parking lot of the Troup County Fire Department on Reed Road, according to the TCSO press release. The TCSO responded to the scene around 7:15 p.m.

The male is described as white with long brown hair that reaches his ears, but police believe that may be a wig. He was wearing a white shirt, white pants and black boots. He had “older looking skin,” according to the minor child, but no facial hair.

The TCSO believes he might’ve been trying to portray himself as a woman.

A Facebook post detailing the incident has also been shared nearly 2,000 times. With students heading back to school this week, it’s clear parents are concerned.

Sgt. Stewart Smith, public information officer with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, said parents always need to be mindful as school gets underway.   

“Any time, whether it’s this situation or not, [our advice] is for parents to keep eyes on their kids, especially young kids,” Smith said. “If they are at the bus stops in the mornings, just keep your eye on them until the bus picks them up. Or if it’s a situation where several kids are together at a bus stop, just coordinate with one parent to take turns doing that.”

The TCSO is asking for anyone with information regarding a suspicious white vehicle in the area of Reed Road to contact investigators at (706) 883-1616 or Crime Stoppers at (706) 812-1000.