Crime & Safety

Police Searching for Man After Attempted Child Abduction

Officials with Bell Elementary School say a man approached a student on the playground and tried to drive him home. Police are investigating.

Chicago police are searching for a man after an attempted child abduction at Bell Elementary School Wednesday.

Officials at Bell Elementary sent out an alert Thursday afternoon notifying parents and area residents about the incident. The alert reads:

"A fourth grader was approached by a stranger at 3:25 p.m. on Bell playground,” officials said in a statement. “The man stated he was here to take the boy home because his mother was sleeping. The student did not recognize the man and immediately ran away from him. The man then left the playground walking west on Grace Street.”

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The man was described as an African American male, around 5 feet, 6 inches with a thin frame. He reportedly had brown eyes and short hair. He was also wearing a blue Cubs baseball cap, blue jeans, a short-sleeved black shirt with a stain on it and flip-flop sandals.

Following the incident, the student located his mother and immediately reported it to the school.

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The alert notes the Chicago Police Department was notified, and they are actively working on the case.

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