Security Increased At School Where 5-Year-Old Was Abducted
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An entrance to Bryant Elementary School in West Philadelphia is seen Thursday. District officials say they have increased security at the school.
PHILADELPHIA -
Parents on Thursday were greeted with increased security at Bryant Elementary School in West Philadelphia, measures the school district says are meant to prevent another abduction.
On Monday, a 5-year-old girl was taken out of her classroom at the school. Police are still searching for her kidnapper.
FOX 29's Dave Schratwieser reports the new security measures include security personnel at the door to check in visitors and a second hall monitor station where visitors must present an ID and sign in.
School District of Philadelphia officials say the signature and ID will be thoroughly checked.
Visitors will also be given a hall pass and watched or escorted as they go to the main office.
"We were shocked to find out what occurred. Now we are making sure everybody understands what the procedures are," district spokesman Fernando Gallard said.
The new safeguards went into place three days after the 5-year-old was abducted by the still unknown suspect.
The kindergartner was held overnight in a home nearby, blindfolded and stashed under a bed.
She later escaped and was found soaking wet in a t-shirt at an Upper Darby park.
All teachers will be retrained on the new security procedures, district officials said.
Police continue to interview family members of the girl and others who know her daily routine as they search for a lead that will take them to the house where she was held and to the suspects involved.
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