Man who sparked Ithaca abduction scare seeks mental health evaluation – The Morning Sun

A man who attempted to touch an Ithaca store employee taking out trash - and who prompted a community scare on New Year's Day - has been referred for a mental health evaulation, Gratiot sheriff's officials said Thursday morning.

A social media post on a community Facebook page on Wednsday generated 97 comments and almost 2,000 shares.

But Gratiot sheriff's officials later in the day assured residents that the situation had been handled and there was no need for concern, prompting many to demand details.

"There has been a post about a situation in Ithaca," sheriff's offcials said. "First off the situation has been dealt with and has been taken care of by our deputies. Many of the facts you see on Facebook about this are not true."

Officials said Thursday that deputies spoke with a woman behind a local business about 2 p.m. Wednesday.

"The female reported she was putting some trash in a dumpter when she was approached by a male in a pickup," officials said. "The male exited his pickup and reached out to touch her."

About the same time, another Ithaca woman reported that her husband had just dropped off their children and that he was acting strange.

Deputies located and questioned a 41-year-old Newaygo man who told them he had just dropped his children off and admitted to talking to the woman behind the dumpster.

He also said he had broken out the rear window of his truck.

"The male was not acting right and appeared to be having a mental issue," officials said. "After speaking with deputies he voluntarily admitted himself to the hospital for an evaulation."

They said a report on the man, who has a history of mental health issues, will be sent to the county prosecutor.

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Man who sparked Ithaca abduction scare seeks mental health evaluation - The Morning Sun