PHILADELPHIA -
Philadelphia police held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to give more details on the abduction of a 5-year-old girl Monday morning and to ask residents for assistance in finding the suspects.
"This was not a random act, as far as we are concerned. They asked for her by name. She was targeted in some way," police said.
Investigators say the abductor walked right into the school, identified herself as "Tiffany," and took the child out of her classroom. She told the girl's teacher she was taking her to breakfast.
The woman who collected the child from the school is described as a black female in her late 20s, with a thin build and who may have been pregnant. She had greenish or light eyes and wore Muslim clothing. She may go by the name "Rashida."
The woman walked the child several blocks from Bryant Elementary to a residence, where she was joined by a man.
This second offender is identified as a light-skinned man, possibly a white man, with light brown hair. He wore sweat pants and a long-sleeve, light-blue T-shirt.
The girl is now safe at home after a Good Samaritan found her Tuesday morning under a sliding board at an Upper Darby park. Police say she was soaking wet and wearing only a T-shirt. She may be the victim of sexual assault.
Sources say the little girl was blindfolded, told to remove her clothes and hide under a bed. She was given food at one point.
Investigators said Wednesday that they will be going door-to-door in a four-block radius around Bryant Elementary. This area stretches from Spruce to Christian streets and 56th Street to Cobbs Creek Parkway.
They will be asking residents and business owners to take a second look, to see if they recognize these suspects and to provide any tips they can to the investigators.
"This was an egregious offense. The community should be outraged," police said.
The police would not comment on the physical injuries or condition of the child because of the nature of the incident and her status as a minor.
Two $5,000 rewards are being offered at this time by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Citizen's Crime Commission for the conviction and arrest of these suspects.
Anyone with information can call 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.
