Schools

Stranger-Danger Case in Ellisville Prompts Warning for Area Schools

Officials are reminding parents to emphasize safety precautions with their children in light of the incident.

On Wednesday, a woman in a van approached a school bus stop on Hummingbird Lane in Ellisville several times and offered an Ellisville Elementary student a ride to school.


Fortunately, the child went home and told her parents instead of climbing in, but the incident has sparked a response from local police, parents and school officials as well as those in neighboring towns.

Kehrs Mill Elementary Principal Chris Garland sent out a letter to parents in response urging them to review safety precautions with their children. The school is  in Chesterfield and, Like Ellisville Elementary, is part of the Rockwood School District. 

Garland also said she had spoken with the Kehrs Mill's School Resource Officer about the situation. Her email also included the message Ellisville Elementary Principal Allison Loy sent out to parents. 

Both letters are shown below in full:

"Dear Kehrs Mill Families,
I want to make you aware of a situation that occurred yesterday in our Ellisville community. As always, safety is a priority for all of our students. Please see the email below that was sent out yesterday to Ellisville parents. Please take this time to review safety precautions with your child/children. I have alerted and spoke to our School Resource Officer in regards to this situation.

Have a great day and enjoy the weather!
Yours in Education,
Dr. Chris Garland, Principal

Dear Ellisville Elementary Parents:
I want to make you aware of information I received today from the parent of one of our students. This morning, the student was waiting for the bus near the corner of Hummingbird Hill Lane  in one of our neighborhoods.

As the student was waiting, a white mini-van approached and the driver rolled down the window and asked the child if she would like a ride to school.  This quick-thinking student immediately ran home. The parents called 911, filed a report with the Ellisville Police Department and made us aware of the incident. Our local police officers have been patrolling to keep a close watch in the area and at school bus stops.

I’m sharing this information so you can continue to emphasize safety precautions with your children and have an adult at the bus stop. Our classroom teachers will also be emphasizing what to do if strangers approach you. We are very proud of our student for doing exactly what parents and teachers have taught our students to do if confronted by a stranger."


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