Man jailed in kidnap attempt

VERNAL — A 22-year-old man is behind bars after authorities say he tried to kidnap a child on Sunday from a popular fishing spot for kids.

A motorist called 911 after she spotted an 8-year-old boy struggling to get away from a man at the Kids' Canal shortly after 11 a.m., said Uintah County Sheriff's Cpl. Brian Fletcher.

Fletcher said the child told investigators he was fishing in the canal when the man approached him, grabbed his arm and tried to drag him away. The boy said he immediately started fighting back, yelling and kicking the man, which is when the motorist drove by.

Fletcher said the woman stopped her car and called 911, allowing the boy to get away from the man.

"Her actions contributed to a quick resolution to a potentially volatile situation," Fletcher said.

Responding deputies located Joseph Wayne Yump near the Kids' Canal. Fletcher said Yump was identified by the motorist as the man she'd seen fighting with the boy.

Yump was booked into the Uintah County Jail for investigation of attempted child kidnapping.

— Geoff Liesik