07-08-2025
Grandpa strangled during attempted kidnapping of 19-month-old, Oregon cops say
A 74-year-old man was strangled during an attempted kidnapping of his 19-month-old grandchild, Oregon officials said.
On Aug. 5, Eugene officers arrived at Skinner Butte Park to find 55-year-old Anthony Wayne Reed on top of the man with his grandchild nearby, police said in a Facebook post.
The man was at the park with his grandchild, according to officials, when Reed went up to them and picked up the baby.
He started to walk away and made false claims about how he knew the parents, officials said.
The man intervened, officials said, but Reed overcame him and ended up strangling him until bystanders stepped in.
Officers later reported that Reed was incoherent when speaking to them.
He was arrested and booked into the Lane County Jail on charges of kidnapping, strangulation and disorderly conduct, officials said.
Eugene is about a 110-mile drive southwest from Portland.
