11-year-old boy reports attempted kidnapping in Fernandina Beach

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office is on high alert after an 11-year-old boy reported someone tried to kidnap him as he walked to his bus stop in Fernandina Beach.

Sam Simonds said he started walking to his bus stop near Bonnieview Road and Oak Drive a few minutes after 8 a.m. Wednesday when a car started to approach him.

“Then it went in front of me, it stopped in front of me and then it rolled down the window. [He] told me to get in the car,” Sam said.

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Sam said he didn’t follow the man’s orders. Instead, he ran back to his house and told his dad.

“I was sick to my stomach," his dad James Simonds said. "First you wanted to see if the guy was still there. He wasn't, so then I called 911."

Sam described the driver as a white man in a four door gray-colored car with tinted windows and it appeared to be an older model.

“He had a beard he had he was wearing all black he had long black hair, he was young,” Sam said. “He had black a shirt black pants, he had a black hat on and he was muscular he was big.”

Sam's classmate Brett Cason said he heard about what happened. He said he worries that it could happen again if the suspect isn’t caught.

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“I don't want somebody trying to kidnap me pulling me into his door or something,” said Cason.

Cason’s mom reported seeing a car with a similar description on her street Tuesday. It’s unclear if it’s related but she said she reported it just in case.

James Simonds said he’s thankful his son knew what to do in this case.

Simonds hopes his experience teaches other kids what to do if they’re ever in a similar situation.

“To not stay, to not go anywhere. If you don't know them, just ignore them,” said Sam.

According to the police report, the car turned left on Bonnieview and headed towards A1A. The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office said it’s working with school leaders on this case.

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