UPDATE: Suspected child luring in Kelowna was a false alarm, police say

KELOWNA – RCMP say the case of suspected child luring in Kelowna earlier this week was a false alarm.

“Investigators have confirmed that the driver of the vehicle had mistaken the young girl as one of his associate’s daughter,” Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says in a media release. “Police are satisfied through discussions of all those involved that the man's intentions were not criminal in nature.”

O’Donaghey says one of the two men came forward after police alerted the public to a report that two men offered a 12-year-old girl a ride.

“Police have positively identified the persons of interest,” he says.

RCMP have used the incident to remind parents to talk with their children about how to stay safe around strangers.

"Parents are strongly encouraged to establish a secret word or secret phrase for your family, so that a safe person or safe ride other than their parent or guardian can be identified in the event of an emergency,” O'Donaghey says in the release. “Never accept a ride from strangers, or even someone you may know, without checking with your parents first.”

— This story was updated at 12:18 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016 with updated information from the RCMP.

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