Independence man is accused of trying to kidnap a 3-year-old boy

Jackson County prosecutors accused a man Friday of trying to snatch a 3-year-old boy from the boy’s front porch in Independence.

James R. Lewis of Independence faces a felony charge of attempted child kidnapping in connection with the incident Wednesday in the 1200 block of South Ash Avenue.

Prosecutors say Lewis walked up to the front porch, picked up the boy and tried to walk away. The boy’s father, who was about to leave for work, punched Lewis several times after Lewis allegedly refused to put the boy down.

After the father grabbed the boy, Lewis tried to walk away, according to court records.

When police arrived, the boy’s father yelled: “That’s the guy.”

According to court records, Lewis later told investigators that he usually walks 3 to 5 miles each day and he had borrowed $4 from a mechanic friend who lives in the boy’s neighborhood. He told them he did not remember attempting to take the boy, and it didn’t sound like something he would do.

Prosecutors requested a $50,000 bond.

This story was originally published August 28, 2015 at 2:45 PM with the headline "Independence man is accused of trying to kidnap a 3-year-old boy."