Miami police are investigating an alleged attempted abduction of a middle school student near Jose de Diego Middle School on Northwest Fifth Avenue Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. The incident prompted heightened security measures Wednesday as crossing guards remained vigilant and parents escorted their children to campus. Police continue reviewing surveillance video to corroborate the girl’s report of the attack.
“He pulled the student and grabbed her and pulled her into the alleyway and attempted to remove her clothing,” a dispatcher said on the police scanner. The victim told detectives she fought off the attacker and ran to school to report the incident. Miami police said the girl managed to defend herself during the encounter near the school just north of the Wynwood neighborhood.
Parents expressed alarm about the incident and growing safety concerns in the area. “This area is always dangerous – you have to be careful,” parent Amanda Portillo said. “That’s why, when I drop of my son, I watch to make sure he gets inside, for his safety.” Many families changed their routines Wednesday, choosing to walk their children directly to campus rather than allowing them to walk alone.
“Lots of young girls walk home here. That’s dangerous,” parent Aureliano Gonzalez said. The incident has intensified existing worries about neighborhood safety, particularly for students who walk to and from Jose de Diego Middle School. Parents said their concerns about children walking to school are now growing deeper following Tuesday’s reported attack.
Miami police issued a Be On The Lookout alert for the suspect, described as a Black male who is bald and between 5-foot-11 and 6-feet tall. The man was wearing a backpack with a Haitian flag on it during the alleged attempted abduction. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Miami police as they continue their investigation.
The school day Wednesday proceeded with additional precautions as the community responded to the reported attack. Crossing guards near the school maintained heightened awareness while parents adjusted their morning routines to ensure student safety. Police continue analyzing surveillance footage from the area to verify details of the reported incident and identify the suspect.