MEBANE, N.C. – Investigators in North Carolina are searching for a man who allegedly abducted an 11-year-old girl while she was waiting for the school bus and sexually assaulted her, according to deputies in Alamance County.
Around 7:10 a.m. Tuesday, deputies with the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a child abduction in Mebane.
Upon arrival, officers were advised that an 11-year-old girl had been abducted while waiting for the school bus. A boy who was also at the bus stop witnessed the abduction, according to police.
Shortly before 8 a.m., the victim flagged down a driver who drove her back to the scene.
The victim told authorities the suspect drove her to a church where he assaulted her in the parking lot. The suspect drove away from the scene and the victim left on foot.
The suspect was described as a white male, tall, possibly 35 to 45 years of age. He was wearing dark pants (possibly jogging pants) a gray, ribbed long-sleeve shirt, light brown boots and a red ball cap. He was also described as having light facial hair.
The suspect was driving a gray, 4-door vehicle, possibly a Buick or similar type vehicle. The car may have a sticker on the back that includes a skull.
The Alamance-Burlington School System issued an incident advisory to parents on Tuesday:
“This is a very important safety message from Alamance-Burlington Schools and the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department for all of our parents and student bus riders. Today we received a report from the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department that this morning, one of our student bus riders from Hawfields Middle School was forcibly taken by an unidentified male adult while waiting at the bus stop. The student was later released and is assisting the Sheriff’s Department which continues to investigate all possible leads and has released descriptive information to all media outlets.
It is extremely important to review our bus safety procedures. We want to remind all students when walking to and from the bus stop each day to pay attention to their surroundings. Walk with other students, wait in a group or with an adult when possible and remember, to never accept a ride from anyone in a car or truck, Run away if at all possible if approached. Observe all safety rules and always report any suspicious activity to your bus driver, parents or another responsible adult. These safety procedures were also reviewed with students this afternoon at school.”
