Police look for “person of interest” in kidnapping

By Allison Steele, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: January 29, 2013

Philadelphia police on Monday identified a third "person of interest" in the kidnapping of a 5-year-old girl from her school this month: a teenager who came into contact with the girl in the hours after her abduction.

Also, a new principal has been assigned to Bryant School in West Philadelphia, where the girl was taken from a classroom the morning of Jan. 14 by a woman who posed as her mother. The announcement was made to about 80 parents and community members attending a special meeting Monday night at the school to discuss new security measures implemented following the abduction.

Michael Rosenberg will start as Bryant's principal Tuesday morning, said School District spokesman Fernando Gallard. He replaces Roy McKinney, who will be reassigned.

Gallard said four school employees were being reviewed for possible disciplinary action.

Capt. John Darby of the Special Victims Unit said the new person sought by police is a black female between 14 and 17 years old, thin and light-skinned, with long, straight black hair. She identified herself to the 5-year-old girl as "China" or "Chyna," Darby said, and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and leggings. Darby would not comment further on the teenager's possible role.

An $80,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.

The child told police she was taken to a nearby house; a man was also there. She was discovered in the early hours Jan. 15 under a slide in an Upper Darby playground.

Anyone with information may contact the Philadelphia Police Department by calling 215-686-8477, the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251, or 911. E-mails may be sent to tips@phillypolice.com

Contact Allison Steele at 215-854-2641 or asteele@phillynews.com

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