Possible Attempted Kidnapping Reported At Encinitas Elementary School

ENCINITAS, CA – The Encinitas Union School District is warning parents about a possible attempted kidnapping that took place Tuesday at Park Dale Lane Elementary School in Encinitas.

Principal Erin Terry informed school staff, parents and community members in an email and social media post Wednesday that an unknown woman allegedly approached a student and said she had been sent to the school by the child’s mother.

According to the statement, the woman told the student, "Your mom told me to pick you up." The student did not recognize the woman and ran away.

Immediately after learning about the incident, Terry said she contacted the student's family, as well as the school district and superintendent.

Terry described the female suspect as pale, Caucasian, 5 feet 7 inches tall, with straight brown hair and last seen wearing a dress.

"I can assure you that Park Dale Lane and Encinitas Union School District are working to gather more information and we will keep you informed as we learn more about this incident," Terry said in her statement. "I know this incident is frightening and I would like to assure you that we take our student safety very seriously and it is a top priority."

Terry added that additional supervision would be provided before and after school.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident. No other information is available.

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