Police: Two women attempt to kidnap 5-year-old at Salinas school
NewsChannel 5 is hearing from parents and the Alisal School District Monday after an attempted kidnapping at the John E Steinbeck Elementary School on Saturday.
Parents told news crews they are keeping their kids close, “The care was waiting for him over there in the corner,” said Gina Espinosa who say the attempted kidnapping unfold.
Salinas Police say a woman tried to push a 5-year-old boy into a car where another woman waited behind the wheel.
That’s when investigators say the boy’s mother pulled up to the school and yelled his name.
The mother reported seeing the suspect get in the car and the women speed off with the door still open.
Espinosa said the close call has her concerned, “We’re scared, worried because our kids are little.”
Some parents told NewsChannel 5 the hardest part about this incident is that they didn’t find out about it through the school, but instead through Facebook and word of mouth.
“I feel like I need to speak with the principal because I haven’t even gotten a newsletter or anything and it’s kind of shocking,” said Carmen Lopez.
The Alisal Union School District said it planned to send a letter home with students and make a call to every parent Monday.
The superintendent explained no on was notified earlier because with no students in class on Sunday, the next best opportunity to reach parents would be on Monday.
Teachers also talked about “stranger danger” in every class and plan to host a parent meeting in the near future.
For now, Carmen Lopez says she’ll be re-iterating her own advice over the dinner table.
“If there is a stranger, you run and you scream,” Lopez’s son told NewsChannel 5.
Late Monday afternoon human resources director Ricardo Cabrera said “We’re trying to find out exactly what happened…because we know the teachers were in the multipurpose room, and students were signed out…and we’re trying to find out why this child went with a person who was not their parent.”
Below is the letter sent to parents and posted to the district’s website:
November 10, 2014
Dear Parents,
As many of you know, there was an alleged kidnapping attempt at the conclusion of our NASA Academy on Saturday. All students were immediately accounted for, and all are safe. Law enforcement is conducting an investigation of the incident.
Please be assured that your child’s safety is of the utmost importance to us. We will continue to strive to keep Steinbeck School safe for every one of our boys and girls. Monday we conducted ‘Stranger Danger’ lessons for all classes. During these presentations, students reviewed safe people and places at school and in the community, as well as safe practices when approached by a stranger. Our safety awareness emphasis will continue throughout the school year.
You are encouraged to help reinforce the message of safety by modeling and talking with your child about safe practices.
• Help your child learn their phone number and address by memory.
• Remind them that they must never accept anything from a stranger, get in a car/go with a stranger (even if there is a promise of candy/treats, helping to find a lost pet, or that a parent/family member is waiting for them), etc.
• Discuss family practices for walking to & from school, drop off & pick up, etc., and be certain your child is aware of any changes in routine.
• Be certain to pick up your child on time from school, the After School Program, sports, and other activities.
Emergency cards were sent home on the first day of school. Please be sure that you have returned your emergency card to our office, and that all of the contact information is up to date.
I hope that you will speak with your children today and often about the importance of staying safe.
Christina Palmer
