Some neighbors in Philadelphia's Germantown section are on edge after police say a 12-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while waiting at her bus stop.
Police are now searching for the person who attacked her.
Investigators say the attack was reported to have happened on the 1100 block of East Price Street early Tuesday morning. Police say the victim says a man wearing a ski mask approached her with a gun, threatened her and then pulled her into an alley between Price and Stafford streets and assaulted her.
The girl went home to tell her parents and that's when police say they got the call.
"Right now, to hear that being that this is a neighborhood that is populated with a lot of young females, it's very upsetting," Ricardo Goodman told FOX 29's Dave Kinchen. Goodman lives on the block where the alleged assault took place.
Goodman says he has a daughter who takes the bus early in the morning. The assault will have him keep a closer eye on his daughters, he said.
Police say they are studying surveillance video in the area for any leads on the suspect.
Sources tell FOX 29 News that a girl was waiting for a bus to take her to Imani Education Circle Charter School.
In a statement issued by the charter school and obtained by FOX 29, school officials said their "board, administration, and staff ... are deeply saddened by the report of the assault of one of our students."
"We are committed to working with law enforcement to the fullest capacity until we are able to bring the perpetrator to justice," the school's statement read. "Although we have made every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of our students on the grounds of our school and within our school facility, crimes can and do occur outside of any school's property. We have long been a partner to this community and we remain committed to working with our neighbors to all do our part to keep children safe. Our sincerest prayers go out on behalf our student and the family."
Monday, May 13 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:53:44 GMT
Mother's Day just wasn't the same for Olga Ortiz of Newark, NJ. She said her daughter Melissa Rodriguez of Collingdale, would have spent the holiday weekend with family up there, but has not been seen
Police consider rebooting investigation of missing Delco mother as her mother marks Mother's Day without her.
Sunday, April 7 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-04-07 21:32:07 GMT
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.