Kentucky State Police investigate attempted child abduction in Whitley County

CORBIN, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky State Police are investigating an attempted child abduction that occurred earlier today at Whitley County Intermediate School.

According to KSP, 37-year-old Willie O. Bethea from Latta, South Carolina, unlawfully entered the school playground and tried to convince a child to leave with him. KSP says school staff confronted Bethea, who then left the property. In response to the incident, officials placed all Whitley County Schools, Williamsburg City Schools, and Corbin City Schools under a soft lockdown as a precaution.

Bethea was later located by authorities at the Corbin Walmart and taken into custody. He is facing multiple charges, including attempted kidnapping of a minor, criminal trespass, persistent felony offender, and operating on a suspended license.