Suspicious Man Sought for Approaching, Touching Ferndale High School Girls

On Tuesday, the notified Ferndale Public Schools that a suspicious man had approached three high school-aged girls at three different locations in Ferndale, a notice from the schools said.

The girls were alone at the time and reported separate situations where the man said that something was on their pants, and he then either reached to brush something off them or touched them.

The man is described a 6 feet 2 inches tall, black, with a thin build, no facial hair, short hair, dark complexion and was wearing all black, the notice said. The three locations where the girls encountered the man were Eight Mile and Pinecrest, Fielding and Pinecrest, and Eight Mile and Livernois.

Ferndale Schools spokeswoman Stephanie Hall said all parents were notified Tuesday evening.

"We ask all students to always be aware of their surroundings," she said.

Police ask that anyone who knows anything about the man described by the girls call the department at 248-541-3650 or call 911.

The school also posted a reminder for parents and guardians to remind children and young adults to be cautious and attentive when walking to and from school or playing on the streets of our communities.

The notice added: First and foremost, if you observe a suspicious person, vehicle or circumstance, either around school or in the area, call 911 immediately. It is also important that discussions take place between parents and children about how to handle suspicious incidents. Please remind your child of the following safety measures they can take:

1. If someone tries to get a child to go with them, a good defense is to yell, "This is not my father/mother!" and run away.
2. If someone is following a child in a car or is walking very close, teach your child to stay away from them and to run to the nearest house (preferably where someone they know is home) to ask for help.
3. Do not talk to strangers or go near their car — even if they seem nice and say they have candy or a toy in the car.
4. Do not help strangers find their dog or cat or anything. Adults do not need children's help.
5. Always tell a parent or whoever is in charge at home where they are going and do not leave that location without getting an OK from parents or teachers at school.
6. If someone tells your child, "Don't tell," assure the child she or he should definitely report the incident to a trusted adult.