Man charged with attempted kidnapping of minor in Whitley County

CORBIN, Ky. – The Kentucky State Police is investigating an alleged attempted child abduction out of Whitley County.

On Friday, Aug. 30, troopers say Willie O. Bethea, 37, of Latta, South Carolina unlawfully entered the playground of Whitney County Intermediate School and attempted to get a child to go with him.

Troopers say Bethea was confronted by school staff and left the property.

Authorities say all Whitley County schools, Williamsburg city schools and Corbin city schools were placed on a soft lockdown as a safety measure.

Bethea was located at a Corbin Walmart and arrested.

He is charged with attempted kidnapping of a minor, criminal trespassing, first offense, persistent felony offender and operating on a suspended license.

The investigation is ongoing by KSP. KSP was assisted by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office, Corban City Police Department, Whitley County School school resource officer and Whitley County School system.