Woman charged after she tried to lure boy

by DALE SHEFFIELD

Enterprise reporter

An eleven-year old boy was nearly abducted on Taylor Street a week ago when a woman tried to entice him with a puppy and Chinese food, according to a police report.

Denise Gfell, 52, of Penfield, told police the only reason she approached the boy was because he looked lonely and she wanted to take care of him. Gfell asked the boy if he wanted to see her puppy, which was in a basket beside her in the white Pontiac Vibe she was driving. She also asked him if he wanted to have dinner with her at a Chinese restaurant.

About that time, the boy's father drove by and saw his son talking to Gfell. When he came on the scene, Gfell reportedly asked, "Is he ok?" and then drove away.

The father immediately reported the incident to police. He told police he believed that if he had not interfered Gfell would have abducted his son. Gfell was apprehended a short time later and placed under arrest for child enticement. When asked why she had not contacted the police if she believed the child was being neglected, Gfell did not reply. Gfell said she was a foster parent who had taken care of 16 children, but could not remember the name of the private group through which she had done this foster care.

Gfell was taken to the police station, where she became argumentative and uncooperative, according to police. Officers noted a smell of alcohol on Gfell and an unopened case of beer was found in her vehicle, but she passed field sobriety tests. Gfell was placed in a holding cell; she promised not to bother children anymore and asked if she could go home.

Gfell was transported to the Lorain County Correctional Facility and a $1,000 bond was set. She pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted child enticement at her arraignment last Tuesday in Oberlin Municipal Court.

On Thursday, an arrest warrant was issued for Gfell for allegedly violating terms of her probation in a 2008 drunken driving case. Gfell was given a suspended 57-day jail sentence in connection with the 2008 conviction on the condition she have no alcohol-related arrests within a three-year period.

Gfell is employed as the treasurer of the Lorain County Metro Parks and has been placed on paid administrative leave.