JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A stranger reportedly attempted to lure a student into a vehicle near Lone Star Elementary School, prompting the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Duval County School Police to begin an investigation.
The principal of Lone Star Elementary, Cheryl Quarles-Gaston, sent a message to families Friday warning them about the incident.
According to the communication, an unknown individual driving a blue van tried to lure a student into the vehicle while the student was walking to school.
“Thankfully, our student was able to get away and arrived safely at school without harm,” Quarles-Gaston wrote. “The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and School Police were immediately notified, and an investigation is underway.”
Quarles-Gaston used the message as an opportunity to remind families about basic safety strategies, urging students to use the buddy system and avoid walking alone whenever possible.
“If a stranger approaches you, you do not have to speak to him or her,” the principal wrote. “Never approach a stranger in a motor vehicle.”
Quarles-Gaston also advised students never to go anywhere with someone they do not know, even if that person offers treats, toys or pets.
“If a stranger grabs you, do everything you can to stop him or her from pulling you away or dragging you into his or her car,” she wrote. “Drop to the ground, kick, hit, bite, and scream.”
She also encouraged students to draw attention to themselves if someone attempts to take them.
“Do whatever it takes to attract the attention of others who can help you,” she wrote. “If someone is dragging you away, scream, ‘this is not my dad,’ or ‘this is not my mom.’”
Students were also reminded to try to memorize a suspicious vehicle’s license plate number and immediately report it to a trusted adult.
“The safety of our students is always a top priority, whether they are inside the building or traveling to and from school,” Quarles-Gaston wrote. “Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work to keep our students safe.”
Darrin Bauford, who lives in the neighborhood across from the school, said keeping an eye on children walking to and from school has become part of her routine. She said she has lived in the area for 11 years and had never heard of anything like this happening before.
“Because they’re not looking. The children are very vulnerable. They’re not aware of all the hidden dangers and unhidden dangers,” Bauford said.
Bauford said she sometimes watches children from her vehicle as they walk home, making sure they safely reach the next stop sign before continuing.
“We just don’t know. We don’t know,” she said.
Bauford said the incident has made her even more alert.
“We have to alarm our children. I think that’s very alarming now. It makes me kind of amp up about it,” she said.
News4Jax went to the school’s front office to speak with the principal, but staff members said she was unavailable.
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