Man barred from Leonard Park after allegedly approaching children during baseball game

While his behavior on Sunday was concerning, there has been no reported conduct on his part that would result in a criminal charge at this time”

—Westchester County Police

Mount Kisco, N.Y.—Mount Kisco parents and Westchester County Police are on alert after a Connecticut man allegedly approached children during a baseball game at Leonard Park on July 12, prompting an investigation and a trespass order barring him from the park.

In a July 16 press release, Westchester County PD said it issued "a formal trespass notice... that bars him from returning to Leonard Park."

Police said the man, whose identity was not released, was investigated after allegedly interacting with several children in what authorities described as a “suspicious incident.”

Westchester PD said officers responded to the park at 12:13 p.m. Sunday on a report of a verbal altercation between several parents and a man in his 60s, who allegedly "approached their children and was observed playing baseball with them."

Police said they detained the man for investigation and interviewed parents and children who interacted with him.

"No allegations were made that the man attempted to lure any child away from the ball field," police said.

In addition to being interviewed at the park on July 12, the man voluntarily came to the Mount Kisco precinct the following day at the request of detectives, police said.

After returning to the park, police said he was issued the trespass warning. Police said he consented to another interview with detectives.

"While his behavior on Sunday was concerning, there has been no reported conduct on his part that would result in a criminal charge at this time," WCPD said. "He was advised that he will be charged with trespass if he returns to the park again due to the formal trespass warning."

Alleged approach

According to a comment under a post about the incident in the Mount Kisco News and Safety Facebook group, a witness said they were at the game when the man approached children from the opposing team and told them he knew their parents.

The commenter said the children immediately alerted their families; parents and coaches from both teams confronted the man in the parking lot and prevented him from leaving until County Police arrived.

The witness said the man gave several conflicting explanations for being in the park, including that he was walking a dog, looking for a baseball bat or was there to coach a game. He reportedly returned the following day and told the Recreation Department he was searching for a missing bat.

Parents—including an off-duty NYPD officer—detained the man until Westchester PD arrived, the witness said. While the man had a Connecticut driver's license, he was driving a vehicle with Florida plates.

Local camps operating in the park have reportedly been alerted, and photographs of the man have circulated among parents.

Parents are encouraged to supervise children closely and remind them to immediately report any uncomfortable or suspicious interaction with an adult.

Police asked anyone with additional information regarding Sunday's incident to call detectives assigned to the Mount Kisco Precinct at 914-241-1100.