How on earth did this even happen? A man accused of trying to snatch an 11-year-old girl off the street in Vancouver, Washington, simply did not bother showing up to court for the second time. And somehow, this is even allowed to happen.
According to Fox 12 Oregon, defendant Michael McGlothlin was expected to plead guilty on Wednesday to charges of kidnapping, assault, and custodial interference. Instead, he never walked into the courtroom. Again. His attorney admitted he has not been able to get in touch with him.
Yes, you read that right. A man caught on video attempting to kidnap a child in a Vancouver park last August, only stopped because a brave good Samaritan intervened, has now missed multiple court dates.
After more than a year of hearings, legal back-and-forth, and endless delays, families hoped this nightmare would finally be resolved. Instead, the accused kidnapper vanished and only now has a bench warrant been issued, set at just $30,000.
The family of the young girl sat in court, ready to hear justice served. Instead, they were forced to watch in silence as the system stumbled once again.
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This case raises the alarming question: How does someone accused of trying to steal a child off the street get enough leeway to miss court dates at all? In states like Washington and Oregon, it is becoming harder to ignore the disturbing pattern. Criminals seem to be handed more chances and more rights than the victims they leave behind.
The community is now left wondering: If a man caught on video attempting to abduct a child can simply vanish before pleading guilty, what hope is there for public safety?
