Police: Group of children help girl, 10, escape luring attempt in Kent



KENT, Wash. -- Police say a group of children helped a 10-year-old girl escape a man who tried to grab her after she got off the school bus Wednesday afternoon in Kent.

According to Kent police, the girl got off the bus around 2:00 p.m. and started walking home along 126th Ave SE near 278th Place. The girl was reportedly behind a group of children when a man driving a red vehicle got out of a car and tried to grab her.

Police said the girl screamed and the other children ran back to help her. When the suspect saw all of the kids coming, he went back to his vehicle and drove away.

“Luckily this young lady reacted quickly and appropriately which alerted the other nearby children,” said Detective Melanie Robinson. “Parents should take some time to talk to their children about appropriate precautions and reactions should they ever be faced with a similar frightening occurrence.”

The suspect was described as a Hispanic or black male with a light complexion, short and heavy, in his mid to late 20s. At the time, he was wearing a white baseball cap with a black bill, dark gray sweatpants, and a red zip-up sweatshirt.

Investigators want to hear from anyone who has information or may have witnessed the attempted luring. You're asked to call 9-1-1 or the Kent P.D. tip line at 253-856-5808.