A recent alleged kidnapping in Florida will reinforce the importance of talking to our kids about stranger danger. A 6-year-old boy was taken by a man who walked up to the front yard where the boy played. After offering to play with the little one and buy him a toy, the child willingly left his home with the man, video footage shows.
Thankfully, once the boy’s family learned he was gone, they went to find him. And luckily, they were able to so quickly and before any harm was done. But, the story should be a reminder of what could happen to any child and change a family’s life forever.
More from CafeMom: Mom Goes Viral With ‘Insane’ Story of ‘Kidnapped’ Son Who Was Taken by Her Serial Killer Ex
The boy had been playing outside when the man approached.
Six-year-old Jake Rivera was playing outside with his older brother in their Miami neighborhood on Saturday, December 28, 2024. His older brother went inside to use the restroom, but Jake continued to play outside. That’s when a man he didn’t know appeared.
“The guy came over to me and said, ‘Do you wanna come with me?’ And I said sure,” Jake told NBC6 Miami.
Their initial interaction was caught on video.
Video surveillance footage shows the man, 56-year-old Jose Reynaldo Martinez Reyes, as he approaches the boy. According to police, Martinez Reyes offered to play with Jake while he was left unsupervised. At one point, the young boy becomes upset, but Reyes gets him to play again before they take off.
“He just came in and started playing with him, and after that, he just lured him in,” Jake’s cousin, Alfredo Velasquez, shared.
The little boy willingly left with the adult.
According to the arrest report obtained by WSVN, Martinez Reyes promised to buy the boy a toy. He reportedly led Jake to the Family Dollar store nearby. But once they got into the store, the man told the young boy he had no money and they left.
Shortly after Jake disappeared, his older brother noticed he was missing. The 14-year-old enlisted an adult friend’s help to find his little brother. They reportedly found the younger boy walking hand in hand with Martinez Reyes about a mile from their home.
The teen and the family friend were able to keep Martinez Reyes detained.
When the man was confronted by the teen and a good Samaritan, he allegedly told them that the boy was his son. He also reportedly got into a physical altercation to try to keep the boy with him.
“My little cousin, the older one, came in, pushed him, punched him, just to get it, just to get his brother back, put him in the car,” Velasquez told WSVN. They were able to get the boy back, and put him in the car.
More from CafeMom: Dad Sent Pics of Missing 1-Year-Old Kahleb Collins Hung by Rope to Mom: ‘He Just Looks Wore Out’
Police arrested Martinez Reyes at the scene.
After the boy was rescued, the alleged kidnapper was held down while police were called. “We have no idea at this point what that subject’s intention was with a 6-year-old boy, but as one can imagine, it probably was not anything good,” Miami-Dade Police spokesperson Andre Martin told WSVN. Martinez Reyes faces charges of kidnapping and interference with custody, according to police records.
Now, the family is prioritizing teaching the little boy about the importance of stranger danger.
“It just takes one second or one moment for just anybody to just grab your kid and leave. I’m just very thankful that we found him in time and we got him into our custody again,” Velasquez said.
