Many parents at Bryant Elementary School in West Philadelphia are unnerved by the kidnapping that happened inside the school Monday.
They're unhappy with both the school and the district, for good reason. District officials say they have good security policies in place, but none of them were followed. And that allowed the kidnapper to have free rein.
Bryant Elementary School isn't exactly in the safest neighborhood, So you might think security would be extra tight. But when the victim's mom talked to school officials Monday afternoon, "They didn't know nothing," Latifah Rashid insisted. "It's going on 3:30 and they didn't know where my kid is."
The kidnapper had talked her way past a hall monitor and took the girl from her class, violating every security procedure the district had put in place. A district official says a visitor is supposed to sign in at the front desk and show photo ID. If they're picking up a child, their name must be on a list provided by a parent. Only then will the child be escorted from his or her classroom. "A student should never be released to an adult from a classroom," Philadelphia School District Spokesman Fernando Gallard told Fox 29. "The release should only occur at the main office."
But that didn't happen either. The victim's substitute teacher allowed the kidnapper into the classroom. Taja Henson's daughter saw it happen. "She said the teacher was nervous to let her kind of leave out the classroom, but when I asked, did he call somebody to ask was it okay for her to leave, she said no," Henson said.
"They didn't check ID, they didn't call me," Latifah Rashid, the victim's mother, added. "The substitute teachers says that he asked the mom if she wanted to sign (the victim) out. The woman said, oh I already signed her out at the office."
"Clearly it seems that the substitute teacher was not aware," Gallard said. "These policies have been around for a very, very long time."
That begs the question: why didn't the substitute teacher know the procedure? The parent of a child in the victim's classroom told Fox 29 that class has had three substitute teachers since the start of the new year.
District officials say they spent the day Tuesday making sure every principal of every school in the district knows the policy. And follows it.
Thursday, October 30 2014 1:19 PM EDT2014-10-30 17:19:40 GMT
Two families forever linked by circumstances both tragic and miraculous. From one family's tragedy came a miracle the other family had been praying for.
Two families forever linked by circumstances both tragic and miraculous. From one family's tragedy came a miracle the other family had been praying for.
Tuesday, December 30 2014 9:36 PM EST2014-12-31 02:36:41 GMT
A Clifton Heights man was shot and killed by police in Drexel Hill on Tuesday afternoon after police tried to serve a warrant for terroristic threats.According to police, 52-year-old Joseph Pacini had been making threats on social media to kill police and FBI officials.
A Clifton Heights man was shot and killed by police in Drexel Hill on Tuesday afternoon after police tried to serve a warrant for terroristic threats.According to police, 52-year-old Joseph Pacini had been making threats on social media to kill police and FBI officials.
Tuesday, December 30 2014 5:27 PM EST2014-12-30 22:27:56 GMT
Fox 29 is working to get results for a 79-year old woman, who is trying to get her entire life's possessions back, after a storage company sold her belongings because of a hefty, unpaid storage bill. The woman thought it was paid by the movers she hired, and trusted to take care of the job!
Fox 29 is working to get results for a 79-year old woman, who is trying to get her entire life's possessions back, after a storage company sold her belongings because of a hefty, unpaid storage bill. The woman thought it was paid by the movers she hired, and trusted to take care of the job!
Tuesday, December 30 2014 5:08 PM EST2014-12-30 22:08:44 GMT
Philadelphia Police are set to announce charges against Robert Palen in connection with rapes committed in the summer of 2011. The rapes happened in Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Police are set to announce charges against Robert Palen in connection with rapes committed in the summer of 2011. The rapes happened in Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia.
Tuesday, December 30 2014 4:02 PM EST2014-12-30 21:02:01 GMT
WED: 34/23: Sunny/Windy
THU: 37/28: Sunny/Windy
FRI: 42/30 Sun/Clouds
SAT: 41/36 Clouds/P.M. Mix
Sunny and brisk with bitter wind chills New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Wind chills will be in the teens both days. Can't rule out flurries either day...best chance will be on Wednesday North of Philly.
The next storm system brings a light mix of snow and sleet Saturday night before changing to all rain Sunday.
Tuesday, December 30 2014 1:08 PM EST2014-12-30 18:08:25 GMT
One local septa driver has a lot to celebrate...If you've ever taken a ride on the 29 or 111 bus you might recognize, Eugene Smith, or as his riders call him "Smitty." Smith retired from SEPTA Monday today after 36 years of service.
One local septa driver has a lot to celebrate...If you've ever taken a ride on the 29 or 111 bus you might recognize, Eugene Smith, or as his riders call him "Smitty." Smith retired from SEPTA Monday today after 36 years of service.
Police say a burglar was caught doing something disgusting during a bizarre home invasion in Bucks County. Before it was all over, that suspect was in the hospital shot twice, and a beloved pet was missing.
Police say a burglar was caught doing something disgusting during a bizarre home invasion in Bucks County. Before it was all over, that suspect was in the hospital shot twice, and a beloved pet was missing.
Tuesday, December 30 2014 9:28 AM EST2014-12-30 14:28:23 GMT
Health officials in the United Kingdom confirm its first case of Ebola, after a health care worker returned from Sierra Leone, and tested positive for the disease.
Health officials in the United Kingdom confirm its first case of Ebola, after a health care worker returned from Sierra Leone, and tested positive for the disease.
Tuesday, December 30 2014 9:27 AM EST2014-12-30 14:27:15 GMT
A man trying to elude police during a traffic stop is killed when his car crashes on Chester Pike in Delaware County.Police say the man was driving a white Nissan and sped off when a Folcroft police officer tried to pull him over.
A man trying to elude police during a traffic stop is killed when his car crashes on Chester Pike in Delaware County.Police say the man was driving a white Nissan and sped off when a Folcroft police officer tried to pull him over.
Tuesday, December 30 2014 9:23 AM EST2014-12-30 14:23:40 GMT
Detectives are working the streets of north Philly, trying to figure out, who shot an eight-year-old boy while he was riding his bike Monday afternoon.The boy's family says it happened on the 2500 block of Orianna Street.
Detectives are working the streets of north Philly, trying to figure out, who shot an eight-year-old boy while he was riding his bike Monday afternoon.The boy's family says it happened on the 2500 block of Orianna Street.
Monday, December 29 2014 10:23 PM EST2014-12-30 03:23:28 GMT
Police on Monday released the name of the boy and officer involved in the police cruiser accident Sunday night. Franklin Township Police identified the boy as 10-year-old Matthew McCloskey. The Franklin Township Police Department officer driving the patrol car that struck the boy was Officer Nicholas Locilento, according to authorities.
Police on Monday released the name of the boy and officer involved in the police cruiser accident Sunday night. Franklin Township Police identified the boy as 10-year-old Matthew McCloskey. The Franklin Township Police Department officer driving the patrol car that struck the boy was Officer Nicholas Locilento, according to authorities.
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