The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public of a possible child in danger ruse.

Sheriff John Merchant said on Friday around 6 p.m. in the area of US 73 and Sunflower a woman reported spotting a car seat alongside of the road with a purple blanket over the top which made it appear the child was still in the seat.

“When the person went to check on the seat, two people in dark blue jeans and ski masks exited the ditch,” Merchant said. “The concerned motorist got back in their vehicle and drove away and notified law enforcement immediately.”

Officers from Atchison and Brown County and Horton Police Department responded to investigate due to the proximity of county lines but no one was found.

Merchant said no other cases have been reported recently. However, he said he has heard of similar ruses being reported dating back to 2009.

“It’s been anything from gang initiations, carjackings to similar type of criminal activity,” Merchant said. “We don’t know if it’s somebody just playing a joke or prank but whatever it is it’s not funny and if those are responsible are caught there will be criminal charges brought against them.”

Anyone seeing anything of a similar nature is asked not to stop and to call 911 immediately.