Galveston Police looking for man who allegedly tried to kidnap 13-year-old girl walking to school

The Galveston Police Department is looking for a suspect they say tried to kidnap a 13-year-old girl while she was walking to school Monday morning.

Police said it happened they were called just before 7 a.m. to Central Middle School after receiving a report that a student was approached and grabbed by an unknown man while she was walking to school.

The 13-year-old student told police she was walking near the 900 block of 28th Street when she heard footsteps coming up behind her.

The student told police the man grabbed her from behind. The girl bit the man twice during a struggle before she managed to break free and run to the school. She was not injured in the struggle.

Teachers heard from the student about what happened and called police. An alert was also put out to local medical facilities to notify police if anyone sought treatment for bite-related injuries.

After the student’s parents arrived at the school, they accompanied officers back to their apartment and retraced the student’s route to identify where the incident occurred.

KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry spoke with the victim’s aunt, Stacy Windmiller, who provided more information on the situation.

Windmiller said her niece had only been walking to school this school year, taking a 20-block walk from home to school, because her bus route was changed this year and she was no longer able to ride the bus.

The victim told her family it felt like the suspect was waiting for her during her walk, and the family was told that police have video of the suspect buying the ski mask earlier this morning.

Windmiller said the suspect grabbed her niece in the neck and mouth area. The victim bit his hand. She slid down his body.

Besides a few scratches and bruises, Windmiller said her niece is physically alright, but mentally she is a bit shaken. She’s worried about continuing walking to school.

Police also say they were able to find surveillance video from a business in the 1000 block 24th Street. They say it showed the student walking in the area followed shortly by a man taking the same path.

The suspect was wearing a black short-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and what appeared to be a ski mask.

Anyone with information that may be helpful is requested to contact the Galveston Police Department at 409-765-3777. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to Galveston County Crime Stoppers at 409-763-8477 or online at www.galveston.crimestoppersweb.com.

Galveston ISD provided the following statement:

Before 7 AM this morning, a female student walking to Central Middle School reported an encounter that occurred near 27th Street and Sealy Avenue. The student stated that a male individual with a bicycle tried to grab her, and after a brief struggle, she was able to get away safely. We are grateful to report the student is safe and unharmed.

There were no witnesses, and the Galveston Police Department is currently investigating the incident. All proper safety procedures were followed by school staff.

We encourage all families to speak with their children about personal safety, including staying alert, walking in groups when possible, and reporting any suspicious behavior immediately to an adult or the police.

The safety of our students remains our top priority. We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and keep our community informed as appropriate.