Police have identified the SUV and the driver involved in what was initially reported as an attempt to lure a child following an afterschool religious class at a church in Bristol on Wednesday evening.
The Bristol Police Department received a report of a possible attempted child pickup following a CCD class at St. Joseph School around 6:48 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to police, a 9-year-old girl was with teachers when a man in a dark-colored SUV called her name several times, allegedly telling her to come to him. When staff members intervened, the man allegedly sped off, police said.
During the investigation conducted by the Bristol Police Department’s Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions, police were able to identify the suspected vehicle and driver.
According to police, the investigation “found no criminal intent.”
”This was a misunderstanding, and there is no ongoing threat or public safety concern related to this event,” the department said Thursday night.
“The staff at St. Joseph School did exactly what we hope every school would do — they acted quickly and responsibly when they believed a child in their care could be at risk. Their actions were appropriate and commendable,” the department added.
Police offered thanks to the parents, school staff and community members “for their patience, cooperation, and understanding as we worked to sort out the facts. Situations like this remind us how deeply our community cares about the safety of its children.
“Finally, we’d like to recognize the officers and detectives who responded swiftly and handled this case with professionalism and compassion,” the department said. “Their quick work helped bring clarity and reassurance to everyone involved.”
The Bristol Police Department said it remains committed “to keeping our community safe and working closely with our schools and families. We are grateful to live and serve in a community that looks out for one another.”
