'He asked for directions: 7th grader recounts frightening encounter on way to class
A South Jersey family is hoping police make an arrest soon after a 13-year-old girl reported a disturbing encounter on her way to school Monday morning.
The alleged incident occurred between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on Valley Avenue near Almond Street, approximately 0.3 miles from the girl's school in Vineland. The seventh grader said a man approached her asking for directions, then exposed himself and attempted to lure her into his vehicle.
"There was this guy, he asked for directions to somewhere and I told him I didn't know where that place was, so I kept walking, but he stopped me and like exposed himself to me," the girl said.
#fyp #newjersey https://6abc.com/post/vineland-nj-teen-reports-indecent-exposure-incident-school/17907102/
frightening encounter on a young girl's
walk to school this morning has now
sparked a police investigation. She says
a man exposed himself and then tried to
lure her into his car. Action News
reporter Leland Pender is in violin and
spoke with the victim. The young girl
said it happened here on South Valley
Avenue near Almond Street just.3 miles
from school sometime between 6:30 and
7:30 Monday morning.
Walk in groups. Daughter was alone this
morning. I wish she hadn't been. A South
Jersey 7th grader is coping after what
she calls a frightening experience
Monday morning.
There was this guy. He asked for
directions to somewhere. And I told him
I didn't know where that place was, so I
kept walking, but he stopped me and like
exposed himself to me.
The 13-year-old says the man even tried
to course her into his vehicle. She
ultimately made it to school, okay,
notifying staff and police when she got
there and meeting with the school
counselor.
I was just like really confused and like
surprised. cuz I didn't know what was
going on at the time.
The young victim lives within 2 miles of
her school, which means the district
doesn't provide transportation. Her
mother is now worried for the safety of
her daughter and other children.
I hardly knew how to support her in that
minute other than just tell her like,
"I'm happy you're okay." In a statement,
the school district confirmed the report
and police investigation, also saying in
part, "Out of caution, we have reminded
families about personal safety practices
for traveling to and from school. We
have no further details to share at this
time." Police have not released any
suspect or vehicle information, but the
alleged young victim says the man was
driving a silver SUV. Mom thinks city
cameras on the corridor where kids walk
should now be installed to monitor the
area. In the meantime, the suspect has
not been caught.
She's shook. I'm shook. I'm scared.
Now, the girl's mother says this
happened to more than one person, but
the school district nor police would
confirm that when asked. They do say the
investigation is still ongoing. Here in
Vinland, Leland Pinder, Channel 6 Action
News.