Unusual Incident at Sprague School: Wellesley Police Alert

WELLESLEY, MA — Wellesley Police Department just sent out a community alert about an unusual incident reported at Sprague School involving a man in the bushes near the school asking a elementary school student to participate in a "Blue Wale Challenge," with him yesterday.

The "Blue Whale Challenge," is a type of online "game" with possible links to teen suicides. In July, a teen in New York who committed suicide may have participated. And the family of a 15-year old in Texas that same month say his suicide was linkedto the game, too. Though more than 100 teen suicides have been reportedly linked to the challenge in Russia, there is some debate about whether or not it is a hoax. The game is said to consist of a series of tasks assigned to players by administrators during a 50-day period, with the final challenge requiring the player to commit suicide.

Wellesley Police are alerting the community to a man with a beard, described as white and in his mid 20s with long brown curly hair pulled back into a ponytail who was in the Sprague School area Sept. 13.

Wellesley Police Department sent this bulletin at 09/14/2017 10:10 AM EDT:

This is a community notification from the Wellesley Police Department regarding an unusual/suspicious incident that occurred at the Sprague School on September 13, 2017 in the morning.

A Sprague School student reported that he had seen an unidentified male with a beard in the bushes near the Oak Street side of the school on Wednesday morning before school. The student reported that the man offered the boy a cell phone and asked him to help him participate in the "Blue Whale" challenge. The student immediately left the scene and there was no further contact.

The person was described as a white male possibly in his 20's, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with long brown curly hair that was in a ponytail. The male also had a beard but no mustache.

The Wellesley Police Department is working with the Wellesley Public Schools to investigate this incident. The Wellesley Police Department is sending this message so the entire community can be aware of the unusual circumstances. We have not had any other reports of this type of behavior. The incident is being actively investigated by the Wellesley Police Department.

Please remind your child to report anything that seems strange to a teacher/parent and to quickly get away from any strange situation. Please call 9-1-1 to report any suspicious incidents or people as well.

Updates to come.

RELATED:

Blue Whale Challenge: Danbury Superintendent Warns

Blue Whale Challenge: Ridgefield Superintendent Warns

Officials Warn Residents Of 'Blue Whale Challenge'