A 55-year-old woman was arrested Friday after allegedly using a small dog to lure a 9-year-old boy away from a Fresno park before a witness intervened, authorities said.

Debbie Blancas was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and false imprisonment, according to the Fresno Police Department.

Around 5:15 p.m., officers were flagged down by a woman and a child near a park at Marks and Emerson avenues.

The woman told officers she had witnessed Blancas, whom she recognized, pulling a child by the hand while walking south on Marks Avenue.

Police said the witness became suspicious because she knew Blancas did not have children.

When the woman approached Blancas to intervene, Blancas allegedly attempted to portray herself as the boy’s mother.

The witness noticed the child appeared visibly frightened and attempted to separate him from Blancas.

However, Blancas grabbed the boy’s backpack and continued holding onto him, police said.

The woman eventually managed to pull the child away, and Blancas fled south on North Marks Avenue.

Shortly afterward, the witness spotted a passing police vehicle and flagged down officers.

Investigators determined that Blancas had allegedly used a small dog to lure the boy away from the park before taking him by the hand and pulling him in the opposite direction of his residence.

Officers searched the area and located Blancas, who was detained and subsequently arrested.

She was booked into the Fresno County Jail on suspicion of kidnapping and false imprisonment.

The boy was unharmed, authorities said.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.