Dabney was playing with his cousin in a yard near his home in the 2000 block of Duncan Avenue in West Anniston around 5:15 p.m. Sunday, Forsythe said. Around that time, a van pulled up to the yard. The driver got out of the van, grabbed Dabney, put him in the vehicle and drove off, the lieutenant said. Dabney's cousin, age nine, witnessed the abduction and reported it to Dabney's mother who, in turn, alerted police.
A flyer released by police describes the abductor as a black male driving a white van with a black stripe.
So far, investigators have found no indication that Dabney knows or is connected to his kidnapper in any way.
The area where Dabney lives and was playing is known as Park Wynn Homes and is located west of Union Foundry in Anniston.
A full team of investigators were canvassing the area as of 8:30 p.m.
Some nearby residents said they hadn't known about the abduction until police knocked on their doors hours later. Some expressed shock.
“You hear about his all the time but it’s something really different when it actually happens around,” said neighbor Dashon Johnson. “It hurts to hear stuff like this.”
Letee Davis, 18, said she is one of Dabney's cousins. She said Dabney's mother was "lost" with anguish after the child's disappearance.
"“She is lost right now like we all are right now,” Davis said.
As of 10:30 p.m., Forsythe said police were still searching and had no firm leads.
Forsythe urged anyone with information about Dabney, the suspect, the van or the case to call the Anniston Police Department at 256-238-1800.
Staff Writer Laura Johnson and Assistant Metro Editor Tim Lockette contributed to this report.
Star Staff Writer Cameron Steele: 256-235-3562. On Twitter @Csteele_star.
