VINELAND, N.J. (WPVI) — 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.
She managed to reach school safely, where she alerted staff and police and met with a school counselor.
“I was just really confused and surprised. I didn’t know what was going on at the time,” she said. “After I like calmed down and actually got to know what actually happened, I kind of felt more fidgety and stuff, and it set in, but my counselors helped me through it and I feel better.”
The girl lives within two miles of her school, which means the district does not provide transportation. Her mother, Doris Biddle, expressed concern for her daughter’s safety and that of other children.
“Walk in groups. My daughter was alone this morning. I wish she hadn’t been,” Biddle said. “I hardly knew how to support her other than just tell her I’m happy you’re OK. That could’ve gone so many other ways.”
“She’s shook, I’m shook, I’m scared.”
The Vineland School District confirmed the report and ongoing police investigation in a statement, saying:
“Vineland Public Schools was notified this morning of an incident involving a student walking to school. The matter is currently under investigation by the Vineland Police Department, and we are cooperating fully with their efforts. Our focus remains on the safety and well-being of our students. 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 and refer any additional questions to the Vineland Police Department.”
Police have not released any suspect or vehicle information, but the girl said the man was driving a silver SUV.
Biddle said she believes city cameras should be installed along the corridor where children walk to school. The girl’s mother also claimed this happened to other children, though neither the district nor the police would confirm that. The investigation remains ongoing.
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