“Tell your grandparents goodbye”: Man accused of trying to abduct toddler from Neosho McDonald's

A man accused of trying to abduct a toddler from a Neosho McDonald's allegedly told the child to say goodbye to their grandparents before carrying the child toward the restaurant's exit.

Now, police are asking for the public's help locating the child and family members involved in the encounter.

Jose Juan Martinez was arrested Sunday following the incident at the McDonald's inside Love's Travel Stop on Highway 86.

Neosho police are seeking a charge of second-degree kidnapping.

According to a probable cause statement, officers responded to the restaurant around 2:03 p.m. after receiving reports of a possible kidnapping involving a child believed to be 2 or 3 years old.

In a news release, Neosho police revealed that the child initially approached Martinez while he was seated in the restaurant's dining area.

Investigators say Martinez then picked up the toddler and placed the child on his lap.

Moments later, Martinez stood up and began walking toward the restaurant's exit while carrying the child.

According to five independent witnesses, Martinez told the toddler, "Tell your grandparents goodbye," as he walked toward the door.

When an apparent guardian confronted Martinez and attempted to retrieve the child, investigators say he initially refused to let go.

Martinez eventually returned the toddler before leaving the restaurant.

Surveillance footage from McDonald's corroborated the witnesses' accounts, showing Martinez picking up the child, placing the toddler on his lap and carrying the child toward the exit before being confronted.

Officers later located Martinez in the commercial truck parking area behind Love's Travel Stop and detained him.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Martinez admitted the child had sat on his lap and that he had gotten up and walked toward the exit while carrying the toddler.

Martinez claimed the incident was a joke, according to the probable cause statement.

Investigators say Martinez did not know the child and did not have permission to take the toddler.

Despite the arrest, Neosho police say investigators have not identified or spoken with the toddler or the family members who intervened.

The family left the restaurant before officers arrived.

Police say no injuries to the child were reported, but investigators want to speak with the family to obtain additional statements and ensure all relevant information is documented.

The department emphasized that the child and family members are not suspected of any wrongdoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, recognizes the circumstances or can help identify the child or family is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Brumfield with the Neosho Police Department at 417-451-8012 or Newton County Central Dispatch at 417-451-8333.

In the probable cause statement, Neosho police argued that Martinez poses a potential danger to children because of his alleged actions.

Investigators also cited Martinez's employment as an over-the-road commercial truck driver who regularly travels between jurisdictions as a reason they believed he might fail to appear in court if released on a summons.

Martinez was taken to the Newton County Jail following his arrest.

The investigation remains active.