Mother traumatised after stranger allegedly tried to take 18-month-old from Victorian park

Julia was watching her 18-month-old daughter play on an in-ground trampoline when she witnessed a stranger approach her child.

The 30-year-old mother was at Centenary Park at Yinnar in Gippsland with the girl and her two other children when the incident occurred on May 5.

She told media today that she thought her child was gone forever.

READ MORE: Drivers could be forced to drive with their headlights on during the day under safety push

"I couldn't imagine what could have happened if I didn't get her back," Julia said.

She said the stranger walked over to her girl before allegedly picking her up and walking away.

"I ran over, I was like, oh my goodness, what's actually happening?"

Julia said she ran after the man and managed to pull her daughter free before running to her car and calling triple zero.

"I felt nervous," she said.

"I turned around and he was at the barbecue area just watching us, so that was really odd."

The man was last seen near the public toilets.

READ MORE: Struggling renters should get flatmates or move home, RBA boss says

Police earlier released a photo of a man they wished to speak with in relation to the incident.

A 45-year-old Moe man presented himself to his local police station a short time later, where he was interviewed.

He has been released pending further enquiries.

Any witnesses or anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online.

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.