Man Identified in Incident Involving Young Child at Kroger

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office says the man who was involved in what was thought to be an attempted kidnapping incident at Kroger Marketplace on Lewiston Road in Grovetown last week has been identified.

A picture of a man captured on surveillance video at the store was circulated after it was thought the man was attempting to kidnap a 7-year-old boy who was with his mother and siblings at the time.  The mother reported to officials she saw the man grab her son by the wrist and say, "Tell your momma bye."  The man made a purchase at a self-checkout area and left the store.

A statement from the sheriff's office says, "We have located and identified the male in the photo.  We have learned that he suffers from a medical condition affecting his cognitive abilities.  We are working with the family.  At this time, no charges will be made."