School safety a concern after attempted kidnapping

School officials are trying to ease parents’ minds after yesterday’s report of an attempted kidnapping.

Forest Hills School officials are on high alert after one of their students told them she was approached by a strange man on her way home from school.

Police say the 11-year-old girl was taking a shortcut home, over a fence behind the school and that a man in a ski mask tried to pull her into a black truck or SUV.

She told police she bit the man, got free and ran back to school.

Police are stepping up patrols in the area, and school administrators are reminding parents to be careful.

Principal Michael Cobb says school staff will also be keeping an eye on things after school.

“Because of this incident we’ve kind of looked at where else can people go that they are not supposed to and we will have people stationed in those areas as well,” said Cobb.

Wilmington police are investigating this case and looking for witnesses who saw a black SUV or truck in the Forest Hills area yesterday.

Anyone with information is being asked to call the WPD at 910-343-3600.