Another Northeast Kansas Stranger Danger Problem

This time, it was Pottawatomie County. Two twelve year old students from St. George, Kansas, took some trash to a recycling bin on Wednesday, and were followed by an older man with whom they were unacquainted. While the two children were able to escape him, he made some overtures that were interpreted by the sheriff's office as attempts to abduct the children, and police would like to find out more. He's been described as an older male with greying hair and a bald spot on the back of his head and a white beard. The man was wearing a black and white striped shirt and blue jeans. He drove a red, four door Chevrolet. Anyone with information should call the Pottawatomie County Sheriff at 785-457-3353.

Hopefully, this was an isolated incident in St George. If the school looks at it's policies about supervision of children, and makes appropriate revisions, this might be the last time a dangerous person ever feels so welcome to make advances toward students right on school property. There have been more reports in the news lately about vulnerable children and strangers in Northeast Kansas, and it's starting to look like it may be time for certain public schools here in Kansas to come into compliance with national standards for student safety.

Attempted Kidnapping In Pottawatomie County Kansas

So soon after Hailey Owens was forcibly kidnapped in Missouri, someone reportedly has attempted the same in neighboring Kansas. While on foot, an eleven year old girl was approached twice by the driver of a white Chevy van with three windows on each side and scratches on the passenger side. The little girl also reported that the rear window is tinted. A cursory description of the driver includes a goatee beard, dark sunglasses, and a plain black baseball cap. She described the license tag as containing a lot of blue, and it's possible that it's a Nebraska tag. Thank the Gods this little girl ran, and went straight home.

Something that is a bit disturbing is the fact that this happened at 3:30 this afternoon, and there are already local people badmouthing law enforcement and the school for reacting so quickly. Law enforcement took a statement from the girl immediately, and the schools autodialed and emailed parents to alert them to possible danger. Quite a few children in rural school districts walk to and from school and extracurricular activities, and it is imperative that parents be aware of incidents such as this. The police and the schools did exactly what they were supposed to do.

Anyone with information about this vehicle or the driver is urged to call the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office at 785-457-3353 or St. Mary's Police Department at 785-437-2311.

Ann Bernadette Cooney Missing

Ann Bernadette Cooney is missing from St. Marys, Kansas, and has been missing  since May 31. She is seventeen years old, and is considered a runaway by Pottawatomie County police. Even as a runaway, twelve days is a long time for a seventeen year old to be missing. If you see her, or know where she is, please call St. Marys Police Department at 785-437-2012.

 

Hopefully, she will be found before this picture needs to be updated.