Man arrested in abduction of 2 children in Dallas, authorities say

A man was arrested Friday in connection with the abduction of two children in Dallas, authorities say.

Leonard Lamar Neal faces charges of aggravated kidnapping, kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a child, Dallas police said. He was found on a DART bus about 4 p.m. near Polk Street and Camp Wisdom Road, and as officers approached he cut his own neck, authorities said.

DART spokesperson Gordon Shattles confirmed police responded to reports of someone harming themselves on a bus. Neal was taken to a hospital in critical condition, police said.

Neal did not appear in Dallas County jail records Friday evening, and it was unclear if he has an attorney.

Neal is accused in the June 11 kidnapping of a 7-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy in central Oak Cliff that prompted an Amber Alert. The children were found hours later. Neal remained missing for weeks after authorities identified him as a suspect and obtained arrest warrants June 13.

The abduction happened after the children left an apartment around noon in the 1500 block of Argentia Drive, and a man approached them in a gray crossover vehicle and offered a ride, Dallas police said.

Police said the children got in the car and were driven to a store near West Kiest Boulevard and South Polk Street.

The boy went to the front of the store about 12:15 p.m., and when he turned around the vehicle was gone, police said. A witness called 911, and the boy was found in the store parking lot, police said.

An Amber Alert was issued about 7 p.m. More than five hours later, the girl was found on a sidewalk back near the Argentia Drive apartment complex and taken to a hospital, police said.

Dallas police released images of the suspect vehicle June 12. Neal was placed weeks later on the state’s top 10 most-wanted list, with a $10,000 reward offered for information leading to his arrest.