Man Approaches Girl Outside Elementary School, Authorities React

San Angelo ISD schools and police remained on alert Friday after a Thursday afternoon interaction between an 11-year-old girl walking home from Alta Loma Elementary School and a man walking across the street toward her.

The man, who was roughly two blocks away at the southeast corner of the school, alarmed officials, prompting a response from the San Angelo police and the school administration.

"The police do not feel there was any actual danger, although word about it got out and escalated on Facebook," said Dr. Carol Ann Bonds, San Angelo ISD superintendent. "We got some calls from parents this morning thinking a kidnapping had taken place, But there is no evidence the person had any mean spirited motive, whoever that person was. He never engaged the child in any way."

Authorities would like to speak to the man about what happened, although San Angelo Assistant Police Chief Jeff Fant said he committed no crime. The man is described as Hispanic, between 20 and 30 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build, and short dark hair. He was wearing rubber overboots like those worn in a meat packing plant.

The 3 p.m. incident was reported by school authorities to Assistant Chief Robert Martinez, who was out of the office Friday. Speaking on his behalf, Assistant Chief Fant concurred that the man made no apparent contact with the child.

"It was possible he was looking for a relative or something," the assistant chief said. "The thing is, he never actually spoke to the child. He called out to her and she ignored him or didn't hear him. But the child did not speak back."

It was unclear if the girl was rattled by the incident.

The incident was reported by a very protective community member, the superintendent said.

"We communicated with the assistant police chief and he had officers come over right away," Dr. Bonds said, "There were a handful of students, who were about to walk home, who had not left the school yet, so they called parents to come get them and the principal took a couple of them home herself."

If the man wishes to speak to authorities about the incident, he is welcome to come by the PD at 401 E. Beauregard Ave, and identify himself or call the PD at (325) 657-4315, Fant said.

Dr. Bonds said school officials and authorities handled the situation well.

The principal, Jeana Farmer, sent a letter home with parents saying a child had been approached by a stranger off the school grounds, Dr. Bonds said.

"We want to make sure the children safe as possible,” she said. “We want to teach students how to avoid this situation."

About 320 students attend the school at 1700 North Garfield.