An attempt to kidnap a 4-year-old child took place on October 3 at one of the playgrounds in Legnica. 29-year-old Szymon K. grabbed the boy and began running away with him. Adults detained the man and then handed him over to police officers.
Children noticed the danger
Investigators established that, in the afternoon, the 29-year-old entered the playground and, for no reason, grabbed a 4-year-old boy. He then began running away with him.
Other children at the playground noticed the dangerous situation. They began shouting, alerting the adults nearby. The adults detained the man and called the police.
The prosecutor determined that Szymon K.’s conduct constituted the crime of depriving a person incapable of looking after themselves due to their age of their liberty. Such an offense carries a sentence of 2 to 15 years in prison.
He had methamphetamine in his car
This was not the only charge the 29-year-old faced. During the proceedings, 3.3 grams of methamphetamine were found in his car. As a result, the man was also charged with possession of narcotic substances.
Moreover, it was established that on June 26, 2026, in Legnica, Szymon K. drove a car under the influence of methamphetamine and amphetamine. The concentration of these substances corresponded to a blood alcohol content exceeding 0.5 per mille.
Furthermore, the 29-year-old had previously been convicted in a final judgment of driving under the influence of drugs. This time, he will therefore be held liable under Article 178a § 4 of the Criminal Code. (In the case of this offense, the court is required to impose a lifetime ban on driving motor vehicles).
Suspect denies attempting to kidnap the child
During questioning, Szymon K. firmly denied trying to kidnap the child from the playground. He added that he remembered little of the entire incident. He refused to provide any further explanations.
Witnesses’ accounts indicate, however, that during the incident the 29-year-old made threats “in such a way that it could be inferred from them that he might commit a similar offense in the future.”
Court orders detention
The prosecutor filed a motion with the court seeking three months of pre-trial detention for the suspect.
The justification cited, among other things, the nature of the alleged offense, the sentence of 2 to 15 years in prison facing the suspect, and his previous multiple convictions. His previous offenses included crimes against property, driving under the influence of narcotic substances, and insulting public officials.
The prosecutor also pointed to the risk that the suspect might go into hiding to avoid law enforcement authorities. (According to investigators, the man has no permanent residence or regular employment, and his living situation is unsettled).
The court granted the prosecutor’s motion and ordered Szymon K.’s pre-trial detention for a period of three months.
(Header: illustrative photo).