Hamilton man accused of trying to kidnap 6-year-old girl pleads insanity

HAMILTON, Ohio (WXIX) – A Hamilton man facing multiple charges including kidnapping and kidnapping pleads not guilty by reason of insanity, according to Butler County court records.

Derick McPherson, 33, is accused of trying to kidnap a 6-year-old girl from her front yard on August 24. The incident was caught on camera.

At that time, the girl’s parents were in the house. She was tossing trash in a trash can when McPherson allegedly stopped on the sidewalk and made an attempt.

The six-year-old child screamed and ran away.

Police arrested McPherson later that day on charges of kidnapping and gross sexual coercion, according to court documents from the time. According to court records, in addition to these charges, he was also charged with unlawful restraint of liberty.

McPherson’s lawyer filed a motion to test his client’s capacity after his arrest.

The court ruled that the 33-year-old man was incapable of standing trial at the time, and the judge hearing his case ordered him to undergo treatment that could not last more than one year.

A few months later, after a second psychological evaluation, McPherson was declared fit to stand trial. He now faces another forensic medical examination.

Judicial capacity and declaration of insanity are different remedies.

The family of the allegedly abducted child issued the following statement on Tuesday evening: “Our daughter must suffer for the rest of her life, why shouldn’t he suffer too? He made a decision to do what he did, now he needs to be paid. We will not stop fighting until he is behind bars forever.”

McPherson’s next court appearance is set for April 24.

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