Kyle, TX – In a disturbing incident, two young men were arrested after allegedly approaching elementary school children and asking if they wanted to be kidnapped. The suspects later claimed it was all part of a “TikTok prank.”
The unsettling encounter took place on Wednesday, January 29, around 3:20 p.m., when two children—a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old—were walking home from Negley Elementary School in Kyle. According to authorities, Kaine Villarreal, 19, and Lane Burch, 18, began following the children before confronting them with the alarming question.
Frightened, the children rushed home and told their parents, who immediately contacted Kyle police. Officers responded swiftly, locating and questioning the suspects. When confronted, Villarreal and Burch admitted to the behavior but attempted to dismiss it as a social media prank.
Despite their claims, police took the incident seriously, arresting both men and charging them with terroristic threat, a crime that carries significant legal consequences.
The Hays Consolidated Independent School District (Hays CISD) was notified of the situation to ensure parents and school officials remained informed.
Community Outrage Over Dangerous ‘Prank’
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among parents and residents, who are calling for stricter consequences for reckless and dangerous social media stunts. What the suspects may have considered a harmless joke could have led to severe psychological trauma for the young children involved.
Law enforcement officials urge the public to recognize the seriousness of such actions and warn that any behavior suggesting harm toward minors will be met with zero tolerance.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and further legal actions may follow. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about stranger danger and to report any suspicious activities immediately.
This shocking case serves as a stark reminder that not all pranks are harmless—and some have serious consequences.
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