- April 24, 2024
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(File photo)
UPDATE: 8 P.M. SEPT. 15:
A 10-year-old girl’s story about a suspicious man photographing children at an F-Section school bus stop turned out to be a lie.
"Based on our investigation, we now believe the incident where a man was allegedly observed taking pictures of children at a bus stop in the “F” section of Palm Coast, as described earlier this week by a 10-year-old Flagler County student, never occurred. No criminal charges will be sought in this case," a Sheriff's Office news release issued Sept. 15 stated.
The girl, a student at Old Kings Elementary, had told deputies that she'd seen a man photographing or videotaping children at a bus stop. She'd said he followed her to school in a silver SUV, photographed her and other children at the stop, then followed their bus to the elementary school. She described the man and the car in some detail, telling deputies that the car had a Hillary Clinton bumper sticker and that the man appeared to be black and about 20 years old.
The Sheriff’s Office, seeking more information about the suspicious man, began investigating, and on Sept. 14 issued a news release seeking the public’s help to identify him.
The Sheriff's Office stated in the news release issued the following day — the one that revealed that the girl’s story was not true — that it takes all reports seriously and it did not want to discourage anyone from reporting suspicious activity, and called the incident "an opportunity to talk about what to do when confronted by suspicious people."
The news release urged parents to talk to children about how to deal with strangers, suggesting parents share the following tips:
The news release urged anyone who sees something suspicious to call 911 immediately. Anyone with information about a crime is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911, or, to remain anonymous, to call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477. Crime Stoppers tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A 10-year-old girl told Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies that a man has been taking photos and video of her and other children at their school bus stop in the morning, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.
The bus stop is at the intersection of Forest Hill Drive and Friar Way in Palm Coast.
The youngster said she noticed a silver sport utility vehicle parked on Folcroft Lane on Friday, Sept. 9, and again Monday, Sept. 12. Both times, the vehicle followed her to the bus stop and the driver then took pictures and videos of her and other children while they waited for their school bus.
The girl told deputies she knows he’s taking pictures or video recording because she can see the flash go off in the vehicle.
The man has not approached or spoken to any of the children. He has not dropped off a child at the bus stop. And his pattern is to follow the bus in his vehicle all the way to Old Kings Elementary School.
The girl told her parents and they notified the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office has asked citizens to be good witnesses so deputies can find the man to interview him about what he may have been doing.
If you see something, call the Sheriff's Office immediately if you have any information about this person and his actions.
You can help by being observant: Be able to provide a detailed description of his vehicle — make, model and any more distinguishing features. Deputies need a good description of the subject himself — hair, height/weight, eye color, clothing.
If you have any information about this man, call the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911
