Recent reports online of an attempted child abduction are untrue according to the Jacksonville Police Department.
According to a release overnight by Jacksonville Police, officers received a call of a suspicious white van that was allegedly following some children in the area of North Diamond and Railroad Street at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
JPD officials say that prior to police locating the owner of the van, a social media post was made by persons not related directly to the incident that indicated the driver of the van had attempted to abduct children.
Officials say the locally viral post was not accurate and after further investigation by police, the driver never exited the van or made any attempts to abduct anyone.
After further investigation, Jacksonville Police located the owner of the van at approximately 7:00 pm Thursday, who provided proof that they were a self-employed electrician who was attempting to find an address for a job and at the time did not realize they were in the wrong hundred block.
According to the report, the owner of the van gave an accurate description of what was reported to JPD in regard to circling and stopping in the area.
The Jacksonville Police Department does not suspect any foul play at this time and believes the owner of the van did not have any intent to commit a crime.
The Jacksonville Police Department also says they have contacted who they believe created the social media post to explain the situation and it has since been removed.
Anyone with questions or concerns can call the Jacksonville Police Department at 217-479-4630.