Warwick school system warns of students approached by strangers

By Kirsten Glavin

kglavin@abc6.com

@kirstenglavin

WARWICK, RI – Warwick police are investigating two reports made by children in the Norwood area of Warwick, who said they were approached by a man on their way to and from school.

"I spoke to both of my children on the way to school,” said concerned parent Frank Legault.  “I always walk my kids to school everyday. Partly because of this reason. And I alerted them and told them what was going on. To not talk to strangers."

Parents were notified Thursday by the Warwick school system Superintendent, Dr. Phil Thornton, who warned about the students being approached.

"I read the email. My reaction was that I was concerned, but I was more glad that we were informed,” said Legault.

The first report was made Wednesday by two 12-year-old girls.  They said that a white male, between 30 and 40 years old and driving a tan Toyota pickup, approached them on Pine Street when they were walking home.

"It’s difficult to hear. I mean, if it happened to me, I don’t know what I would have done,” said Judith Rosa, a Warwick mother with one child in the school system.

The second report was made Thursday morning. The encounter allegedly happened on Heath Ave.

This time, the report was made by a five-year-old boy, who said a white male with a goatee approached him in a white vehicle.

"As a parent, its very concerning and you hope that everything turns out well and that these children are okay,” Rosa said.