110 W. New York Ave., DeLand, FL
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BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
Scene of the incident — A 9-year-old DeLand girl said a man came out of the woods behind the furniture at the corner of Hubbard and Clara avenues as she walked home from a school-bus stop Sept. 23, and tried to kidnap her. Police are continuing to investigate.
By Pat Hatfield
posted Sep 25, 2009 - 5:03:39pm
DeLand Deputy Police Chief Randy Henderson said the investigation is continuing into the attempted abduction of a 9-year-old girl in DeLand.
The girl said she was coming home from the bus stop a little after 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. The
The young girl told police a man about 6 feet tall, with a white beard, wearing a black mask on his face, dressed in a blue t-shirt, came out of the wooded lot and grabbed her from behind. The man pulled the young girl by the hair and started to drag her away.
The girl told police she began to scream, and the man, apparently thinking someone heard, ran away.
The girl's mother told police some local children said the man was seen running south on Parsons Avenue after the attempt.
Police collected a black tank-top found on the furniture in front of the lot, along with a letter with an address on South Parsons Avenue, which were placed into evidence.
A search of the area with a K-9 unit did not yield any suspects.
Henderson said police are treating the report seriously.
"We've talked to the young lady and her mother," he said. "Because of her age, we're being very sensitive."
Henderson said police are also sensitive to concerns that there could be other kidnapping attempts.
"Our awareness is up, because of the nature of the report," he said. Officers are watching the area closely.
So are Volusia County Schools staff. Community Information Director Nancy Wait explained there are three girls who get off the bus at a stop near the scene of the incident. "These students attend Manatee Cove Elementary School in Orange City," she said.
School Board staff is evaluating the stop's location and may relocate it.
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DELAND cleaned up the mess if it is in their
limits? How many times have garbage and household item pickup employees & trucks driven right past this and ignored it ?
Does it have to be cut to 4 ft long pieces baged & tied with a pretty bow or what ??
Why dosen't the County get that garbage furniture off the streets? Not enough Tax dollars in your coffers ? It appears it is
in the right-of-way. I suppose someone has to
call Code Enforcement or Solid Waste-they do not take action without complaints-many, many complaints.
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