Sterling Heights

Police seek man who kissed child at park

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

Sterling Heights police are looking for a young man who allegedly approached and kissed a girl while she was at a local park with her third-grade class for an end-of-the-year picnic.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 2 p.m. June 12 in Farmstead Park, in the 12000 block of Clinton River Road, where the children from Jack Harvey Elementary were playing under the watch of their teacher.

Prior to the incident, which police characterized as an assault, the teacher reportedly saw the subject — described as an 18- to 20-year-old white man — retrieve a stray basketball that had rolled into the parking lot, then toss it back to the students to which it belonged.

The subject then walked toward a playscape where other kids were playing. Just as the teacher was about to approach him and instruct him to leave the children alone, she reportedly witnessed him bending down and kissing the girl.

The teacher yelled at the subject, who fled on his bicycle, a dark-colored 10-speed.

No other students were involved, and no other contact was reported, according to police.

In a letter sent home June 12, Harvey Principal Nick Russo asked parents to stay vigilant and to advise their children to do the same.

“The students immediately returned to school, and I discussed what occurred with them,” he wrote, after summarizing the incident. “I ask that you also take this as an opportunity to reinforce with your child the need to remain alert at all times and to stay in groups when outdoors. Any suspicious behavior should be reported immediately.”

The subject was described as 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall, about 180 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. He was wearing a tan shirt, khaki shorts and a small black backpack at the time.

Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call Sterling Heights police at (586) 446-2800.

Staff Writer Brad D. Bates contributed to this report.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1046.