Portland, Oregon – A family vacation in Portland took a terrifying turn Saturday evening when a 31-year-old naked man allegedly attempted to kidnap a 7-year-old girl from her mother in a busy waterfront area. Swift intervention by the girl's parents and several bystanders led to the child's safe release and the eventual arrest of the suspect, Daniel C. Vasey. The incident has reignited discussions regarding emergency response capabilities in the city.
"police said officers assigned to the Central Precinct were unavailable because they were handling other calls, including a reported disturbance involving a gun, according to Oregon Live." — Portland Police, via Oregon Live
The alarming sequence of events began shortly before 7 p.m. local time on Saturday, when Portland police started receiving multiple emergency calls. Reports described a naked man running erratically through the waterfront area near Southwest Naito Parkway. One caller specifically reported that the man, later identified as Vasey, had attempted to punch another individual in the head. However, officers from the Central Precinct were reportedly unavailable to respond immediately, as they were already engaged in handling other priority calls, including a reported disturbance involving a gun, according to Oregon Live.
The situation escalated dramatically around 7:03 p.m. when another 911 caller reported a direct threat. This caller stated that Vasey had allegedly grabbed a young girl and was actively attempting to pull her away from her mother. According to investigators, the child's mother bravely held onto her daughter, creating a desperate struggle as Vasey reportedly continued his attempts to separate them. This physical struggle was so intense that it lifted the 7-year-old girl off the ground.
At this critical moment, the girl’s father, along with several other bystanders, rushed to intervene. Witness accounts and statements from the police describe a chaotic scene where the group physically confronted Vasey. They reportedly punched, slapped, pulled on, and actively attempted to restrain him. Their collective efforts were successful, causing Vasey to release the child. In an additional measure to protect others, one bystander reportedly used pepper spray or a similar irritant to keep the suspect at bay, authorities told KATU.
Following the intervention, Vasey disappeared from the immediate vicinity. When officers eventually arrived on the scene, they did not initially locate him on land. Police subsequently found Vasey in the nearby Willamette River, where he was observed wading or swimming while still naked. Officers successfully apprehended him in the water and took him into custody.
Daniel C. Vasey was then booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. He faces a range of serious charges, including first-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree attempted kidnapping, first-degree custodial interference, third-degree assault, and harassment. A search of Multnomah County court records, cited by local media outlets, did not indicate any previous criminal convictions for Vasey. The investigation into the incident at the waterfront park is ongoing.
While the 7-year-old girl was not seriously injured due to the quick actions of her family and bystanders, she was treated by paramedics at the scene for scratches sustained during the struggle. Officials confirmed that the girl and her family were visiting Portland from out of state, though no additional identifying information about the child or her family was released.
The incident has brought renewed scrutiny to the city's emergency response capabilities and police staffing. The confirmation by police that officers were unable to immediately respond to the initial reports involving Vasey has prompted concern. An employee of a nearby business, who called 911 after witnessing the suspect, voiced apprehension that the situation escalated significantly before law enforcement could arrive, according to KOIN.
This event also follows other recent incidents in Portland where citizens have felt compelled to intervene in public safety situations while awaiting police response. In April, a group of women confronted a man accused of repeatedly harassing women at Council Crest Park, who was later charged. Authorities have not indicated any connection between the two cases. The swift and courageous actions of the bystanders in Saturday’s incident highlight a growing reliance on community self-protection in the face of perceived delays in official emergency services. Vasey remains in custody awaiting his initial court appearance.
