Dad shares story about daughter's attempted kidnapping as new details released

Council Bluff police say Nathan Busse had history of lurking near kids

By Lindsey Theis

CREATED Feb. 4, 2013

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  • A week after 19 year old Nathan Busse attempted to kidnap a 10 year girl outside of Edison Elementary school, the victim's father is speaking out. Meantime, KMTV has uncovered new startling details about the suspect's troubling past. Video by kmtv.com

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A week after 19 year old Nathan Busse attempted to kidnap a 10 year girl outside of Edison Elementary school, the victim's father is speaking out. Meantime, KMTV has uncovered new startling details about the suspect's troubling past.   

"At first, you're like, that don't happen. You think nobody is going to grab my child. And then it happened," Andrew Pierce says about that day. 
 
The alleged incident happened Monday outside Edison Elementary School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The 10-year-old victim had just finished up her school crossing guard duties when she says Busse grabbed her and forced her to walk down the street with him. Police say she tried to get away but he grabbed her again. After a brief struggle, the girl managed to escape and ran to her 17 year old sister's car nearby. Her sister was at the school waiting to pick her up.
 
"I'm so proud my girls thought, let's drive around and call dad to make sure he doesn't do this to some other kid," Pierce said.
 
Pierce arrived and captured Busse, then held him at the school until officers arrived. Busse was taken into custody.
 
"He told me then he had done that to girls before and wouldn't do it again," Pierce said. 
 
Monday Council Bluff police say their investigation uncovered Busse was a person of interest four other cases involving young girls.
 
"Going back to 2006 up to 2011. None of them were kidnapping, per say. There was one that was labeled enticing a minor," Detective Chris Anderson told KMTV. 
 
Busse was never charged in those incidents.
 
Police also served a search warrant last Tuesday at the home of Busse's guardian. They told us they were checking up on something Busse told them when he was questioned. Police say he told them he planned to take the girl to the shed and lock her up. They found lawn equipment inside.
 
"I'm really glad that that didn't register when it happened otherwise it would be a whole different conversation we'd be having now," Pierce said.
 
Busse is charged with kidnapping, enticing a child, child stealing and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.
 
Busse remains in jail on a $50,000 bond. The judge also issued a no-contact order, which means Busse must stay away from the victim if he posts his bond. He is scheduled back in court on February 8th to issue a plea.