Update: Witness mistaken on kidnapping attempt

Editor's note: A bystander mistakenly reported that a man was attempting to kidnap a 12-year-old girl after witnessing him trying to get her into a van Tuesday afternoon.

A Barstow Junior High School special education teacher was giving students a ride back to the school when one of the students got out of the van early, according to Sgt. Andrew Espinoza Jr. The teacher pulled alongside the student and attempted to get her back into the van, but was unable to. The Barstow Police Department had distributed fliers with a picture of the van looking for the would-be kidnapper, but received a call from the school explaining the truth Wednesday afternoon.

We posted a story on the incident on Wednesday afternoon to assist the police in their search but are removing the story due to the explanation of the incident.