Updated at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, with information from state police
State police from the Avondale barracks are asking parents and guardians to be vigilant at bus stops and to report any suspicious activity after an attempted kidnapping attempt in Penn Township on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Police said a 10-year-old girl got off of her school bus near Oxford Circle and Penn Drive in Penn Township about 4:10 p.m. As she was walking on the sidewalk toward her home, a skinny white male wearing all black clothing and sunglasses grabbed both of her wrists and told her to go with him, a police press release said.
The girl was able to escape and run to her home, police said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the barracks at 610-268-2022.
State police said they regretted not explaining in the original press release that the incident was not reported to them immediately. Police said they disseminated the warning as soon as they received the report.
An email to parents in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District said the state police “are hoping that the collective eyes and ears of the full community can help them in their investigation of an attempted kidnapping.”
The email noted that “we know we are safer and stronger when we all unite as a community and we hope this notice provides the police valuable information. Our shared focus on student safety is paramount and as we process this information, we are reminded that we all need to be vigilant and that this is a learning opportunity for us and our children – the child’s own actions in this incident were key to creating a positive outcome.”
