Mother: Man Who Appeared Sexually Aroused Took Pictures Of Young Girls At Park

A mother told 10TV News that a man was taking pictures of her 13-year-old daughter and three of her friends at a south Columbus park.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Riverbend Park on Bluhm Road.

A woman, who requested anonymity, said that her daughter and her friends came home earlier than expected on Sunday.

When she asked the children why they were back, they said there was a "rapist" in the park videotaping them.

The parents of the 13-year-old confronted the stranger who they said they believed was up to no good.

"It was rather scary for a mother," said the woman.

When they got there, they saw a man with a 2-year-old boy sitting near three school age girls. The mother said that the man appeared to be sexually aroused.

The woman said as soon as the man saw her daughter and her friends, he jumped up and started walking away.

"My husband asked him, 'Were you videotaping my girls?'" the woman said.

According to the woman, the man denied videotaping the girls but would not hand over his phone so the parents could check.

The mother said that based on his behavior, she finds it hard to believe his actions were innocent.

"Because of the way the man ran. I think if I would have been in his shoes, and I was accused of that, I would've stood my ground and said here's my phone - check it," she said.

She said the man grabbed the boy he said was his son, jumped in his vehicle, and drove off.

Columbus police continued to investigate the report.

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