An 8-year-old girl says a man in a vehicle made what appeared to be a threatening action as she walked home from the bus stop on Thursday, according to the girl's family.
The third grader said she knew something wasn't right and ran two blocks toward home after a man stared at her before motioning her toward his passenger door or window.
The girl's mother, Karen Power, told NBC 5 she's not letting her daughter out of her sight and hopes someone will help police track the man down.
"My anxiety was out of control. She was panicked, which made me panic," Power said. "She felt very uncomfortable. She said she knew that in her heart and her head that something was wrong."
With that overwhelming feeling, the girl ran two blocks toward her home. Another neighborhood child saw her, and that she was panicked, and ran toward her. When they reached the girl's house and told her monther, Power called 911.
"It is the big nightmare," she said. "The way he leaned over and was staring at her, she just knew it wasn't right. She got out; she did the right thing."
While Power is hopeful someone will help lead police to the man, she also hopes her family's experience prepares others.
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"I definitely want parents to know, teach your children stranger-danger," she said. "Kick, run, scream, anything to attract attention to yourself."
The Birdville Independent School District sent letters about the incident home to parents of Porter Elementary School students on Friday. Nearby, Hurst police have also been notified, Power said, as that is where the elementary school is located.
North Richland Hills police also increased patrols in the area.
The man, who was vaguely described as a white male in his 20s or 30s, was driving a black SUV or mini-van. Police in North Richland Hills said that so far this appears to be an isolated incident but ask that anyone with information to call them.
