Parents are on alert as Cobb County schools look into a report of a possible attempted abduction of a middle school student.
Smyrna police say a man told an 11-year-old girl walking home from Campbell Middle School there was an emergency with her mom and for her to get in his car.
It happened Tuesday evening in the Heritage at Vinings neighborhood. Police say the man was driving a black SUV or truck.
“I was shocked and surprised and scared,” said parent Belinda Singmon.
Singmon’s daughter is in the same grade as the student the man tried to abduct.
Singmon says she told her sixth-grade daughter about the potential threat.
“(I) just told her to watch her surroundings; pay attention. If someone says, 'I'm here to pick you up for your parents,' do not go. Go straight back to school,” Singmon said.
Word of the attempted abduction spread quickly on social media in the Smyrna community.
One post says the girl asked the man her mother's name, but he couldn't answer and demanded she get in the car. She ran to a nearby house.
Channel 2’s Dave Huddleston spoke with Smyrna police, who say they are investigating and have multiple detectives working the case.
Parents in the area are on alert.
“It's a real friendly neighborhood. It's a great area to stay, but you still have to be aware no matter where you are,” said parent Tamika Sanford.
Singmon said she plans to walk with her daughter until the man is caught.
"I've been walking with her in the morning, and yesterday we had the talk and she wanted to walk by herself back home and I said, ‘No, I’m going to meet you at the school today this evening,’” Singmon said.
Huddleston also contacted the school district, and it, too, is investigating. It sent the following statement Wednesday:
"At Cobb Schools, student safety is our number one priority. Students at Campbell Middle School are being warned of a potential threat to student safety in the community surrounding the school. A white male driver of a black SUV is alleged to have attempted to lure a female student into his vehicle yesterday on her walk home from school. The quick-thinking student questioned the male, and when she realized it was a potentially unsafe situation, she ran to a nearby home for help.
"Campbell Middle School applauds the student's determination to put her safety first. As police search for a suspect, parents are being asked to speak with their child about safety precautions and to closely monitor their surroundings as they walk home. Campbell students are being encouraged to walk with a group, go straight home after class and be vigilant on their way to and from school. Additional police officers will be patrolling the Campbell community starting tomorrow and the investigation into the incident continues."
