Parents upset over response to assault

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Local media and parents were in the dark for hours Tuesday regarding an early morning attempted abduction in Norfolk.

WAVY.com contacted Norfolk police and public schools Tuesday afternoon after receiving several tips from parents about an automated phone message left at approximately 5 p.m. about an attempted abduction.

Karen Parker-Chesson with the Norfolk Police Department told WAVY.com two men, one in a van and one on foot, approached a 13-year-old girl walking to Northside Middle School in the 8800 block of Tidewater Drive. The incident happened just before 8 a.m. Tuesday and the girl was able to run away from the men.

Parents told WAVY.com they were upset because many children had already walked home from school by the time they received the automated message.

In response, Parker-Chesson said there was an increased police presence in the area of the incident throughout the day Wednesday.

She said it is unknown whether Tuesday's incident is connected to another attempted abduction in Norfolk that occurred last November . In that case, a 10-year-old girl was walking home from Oceanair Elementary School when she was approached by a man in a black van, trying to lure her to come with him. 

The following is a transcript of the voicemail left for parents of Northside Middle School students:

"Norfolk Police detectives are working with Norfolk Public Schools to investigate a report by Oceanair Elementary and Northside Middle School students of an alleged abduction attempt this morning as the students were walking to school. The students reported being approached by a man in a vehicle. The students did the right thing and reported the incident immediately to a crossing guard. The crossing guard then escorted the students to school, and Police were contacted. We will continue working with the Police to ensure that we are doing everything possible to ensure student safety. Please use this opportunity to remind your children that they should walk in groups to school; avoid contact with strangers; and report any suspicious activity immediately to a trusted adult."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.