Teen Girl Reportedly Kidnapped Thursday: Hackettstown Police

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — A teen girl was reportedly kidnapped walking home from a friend's house on Willow Grove Street Thursday afternoon, Hackettstown police said. The girl told police she passed out or went unconscious during the event.

The 17-year-old girl told police she left Hackettstown High School with friends around 2:42 p.m. on Thursday. The group stopped at Dunkin Donuts, then walked north on Mountain Ave towards Willow Grove Street. Some of the group continued on Route 46, but the girl walked her friend home on Willow Grove Street.

After dropping the friend off, the teen continued to walk along Willow Grove Street alone around 3:51 p.m., police said. She told police she was approached from behind by a man who "forced something over [her] mouth" before she either passed out or went unconsciousness, police said.

"The victim reportedly might have been inside a vehicle during this incident. The victim then remembered walking in the area of the Hackettstown Middle School," police said.

She is now home and safe.

Police are asking anyone who might have seen the girl during this time to call them. The girl is 5'0" with long brown hair, and was wearing a pink sweatshirt with a butterfly, blue jeans and white sneakers, police said. She was walking around the town between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The Hackettstown Detective Bureau can be reached at 908-852- 3302 or 908-852- 3300.

In light of the girl's report, schools in Hackettstown will be increasing security, superintendent David C. Mango said.

“The issues of security and ways in which schools and law enforcement can further enhance security have been at the forefront of discussions at the national, state and local levels. Locally, the Hackettstown School District continues to have a positive, cooperative partnership with all levels of law enforcement. To that
end, beginning Monday, March 5th, the district will be adding additional security staff district-wide, to assist law enforcement while providing the safest environment possible. The district, as always, encourages parents, community member' and staff to remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our students and school community,” Mango said.

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