Jul 23, 2008 7:48 pm US/Eastern
Family Seeks Harsher Charges In Alleged Luring
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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James McKean is seen here walking to his arraignment on Wednesday morning. He is accused of attempting to lure an 11-year-old girl into his truck at a Westchester horse stable.
CBS
A Westchester family is hoping for additional charges against the man accused of trying to lure their daughter into his car.
For 11-year-old Jessica King, the River Edge Stable is still a place of fun – but now, there's an element of fear.
"I still like hanging around with the horses, but I like to be with somebody that I feel comfortable with," Jessica said.
A week ago, 21-year-old James McKean of New Rochelle allegedly grabbed Jessica's arm as he tried to lure her to his car.
"He tried to pull me to his car, and I started crying," she said. "He looked at me like 'why are you crying?' I picked his fingers off and I ran."
In court today, McKean pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a child and trespassing.
Stefanie King sat just a few feet away from the man accused of victimizing her daughter.
"Sickening feeling – you get that sick feeling in your stomach," Stefanie said. "He was just sitting there like nothing bothered him, reading his book."
The Kings are collecting signatures urging the district attorney to charge McKean with felony attempted kidnapping.
Prosecutors indicate that more charges are coming against McKean.
Investigators believe in recent weeks, McKean also tried to strike up conversation with children at a stable in Scarsdale and a school in Rye Brook.
Leaving court, McKean said nothing and his attorney said little.
"We're confident that the evidence will reveal that my client did nothing wrong," Ed Winder, McKean's attorney, said.
"It's scary to have him out on the streets, because he lives in the town next to me," Jessica said.
"Jessica and her family say that despite a restraining order telling McKean to stay away, they'll be looking over their shoulders for the foreseeable future.
McKean worked recently for a courier service, but the company says he left a few weeks ago. He's due back in court on Aug. 6.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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