Man wanted for groping teen on way to Philadelphia school: police
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Police Department is asking for the public's help identifying a man they claim groped a 13-year-old girl on her way to school Thursday morning. The incident happened around 8 a.m. in the 2000 block of Wakeling Street.
Police said the man fondled and assaulted the teen girl on her way to Harding Middle School in the city's Frankford neighborhood.
Investigators believe the man could live in the area.
"He asked her name. He asked for her Instagram page and then he put his arm around her and touched her inappropriately," Monique Braxton, a School District of Philadelphia spokesperson, said. "So, it was terrifying."
The school district said a security guard met the middle schooler at the door, brought her to the principal's office and called her parents. The girl's parents then brought her to the Special Victim's Unit.
"Probably traumatized by what would happen on a normal walk to school and that's what makes this egregious," Braxton said. "The fact that there are people out there that are preying on children in the city, in the suburbs, as they walk to school."
The man was wearing a black hoodie with AN in white print, gray Adidas sweatpants and black and yellow hi-top Nike Air Jordans, police said.
Philadelphia police believe the suspect is about 20 years old.
The school district said any incident that compromises the safety of our students is taken seriously. They are working hand in hand with the police to try and find the man responsible.
"They should be able to walk to school, go in, be happy, meeting your friends and spend your day in a learning and nurturing environment," Braxton said. "We are emphasizing that we would like for all students to walk in pairs. If someone approaches you, a stranger, someone you don't know, don't talk to them."
Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251.
