POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — The Broward Sheriff’s Office has released a detailed sketch of a man who allegedly abducted an 11-year-old girl as she walked to school.
Investigators released the sketch of the subject after reviewing surveillance video that reportedly shows the subject and victim in an alley.
According to BSO deputies, the 11-year-old girl was walking to Palmview Elementary School, in Pompano Beach, just before 7 a.m., Wednesday, when she noticed a car driving past her several times. “She was on her way to school, walking near Copans Road and First Avenue, when she noticed that a black or dark-colored, four-door sedan had circled around several times,” said BSO spokesperson Gina Carter.
Investigators said a man got out of the four-door vehicle, grabbed her and put her in the car.
Officials said the man drove around the area for several minutes with the victim in the car before he took her to a nearby alley. “Once they were in that alley, the man parked the car and attempted to force the young girl to have sex with him,” said Carter.
The victim said she was then able to escape by opening the passenger door and running to safety. Investigators said she ran all the way to school, located about half a mile away from the alley.
The child’s mother told 7News her daughter endured a terrifying ordeal. “She’s shaken up. She’s still scared,” said Chantale Domond. “She didn’t know what was going on.”
A family friend expressed her fear that this man is still on the loose. “It’s scary that the person is still on the loose,” said Nakenya Robinson. “That’s the scary part. It’s not just about us, but it’s about other children, as well. “I just thank God she made it out safely, nothing happened to her and she’s home.”
“This is a conversation that, unfortunately, parents have to have with their kids before anything like this happens,” said Carter. “In this case, this young girl noticed the vehicle and she felt like something was wrong in her gut. We need to talk to our kids and make sure that, once they feel that, they need to trust that instinct and look for help right away.”
Domond said, she’s happy her daughter was able to get away. 7News cameras captured Domond and the girl, her face covered with a piece of clothing, as they left the school.
BSO Special Victims Unit detectives are continuing to investigate. “[They] are working to determine exactly what happened. Who is this person?” said Carter.
If you have any information on this attempted abduction, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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