CLEVELAND — A 5-year veteran of the Cleveland Police Department, who has been accused of attempting to kidnap a 12-year-old girl who was waiting for a school bus in Euclid, is being held on a $300,000 bond.
Officer Solomon Nhiwatiwa, 34, has been charged with attempted kidnapping, criminal child enticement, public indecency, pandering obscenity involving a minor, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, endangering children, assault and attempted interference of custody, according to court records.
After several minutes of silence after the judge asked him if he wanted to plea not guilty, he finally pleaded not guilty. The judge assigned him a public defender since Nhitwatiwa said he was, "working on getting an attorney."
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office said that on Aug. 16, Nhiwatiwa, while off-duty, approached the girl near Euclid Avenue while she was waiting for the school bus. Nhiwatiwa asked the girl if she wanted a ride to school and after she refused, he drove away. Around a minute later, Nhiwatiwa parked his car, walked up to her, exposed his genitals and urinated on her while filming the incident with his cell phone. Afterwards, he got back in his car and drove away.
His case is being monitored by CPD’s Internal Affairs unit.
Nhiwatiwa was assigned to Judge Wanda Jones. His next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m.
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