Man attempted to kidnap three children at school, police said

CITRONELLE, Ala. (WALA) - Citronelle Police are searching for a suspect they said attempted to kidnap three elementary school boys outside a school early Thursday morning.

Citronelle Police Chief Shane Stringer said it happened at McDavid-Jones Elementary school, toward the end of the time that parents were dropping off their children.

Chief Stringer said a fourth child also witnessed the confrontations.

“This happened at the very end of take-in, which would have been where there weren’t that many people outside, and all 3 students were coming in to the school,” he said.

Chief Stringer said an unknown man approached three different children, aged 8-10, claiming to be a substitute teacher or assistant principal and asked them individually to walk off with him.

“It's extremely scary. I have 2 children that go to the school and I had just dropped them off,” said the Chief. “You just never expect it.”

Luckily, Stringer said, each child ran away from the man. They said he appeared to be suspicious.

“The students said they didn't believe he was a teacher because of his dress and one of them said he had tattoos on his hand,” he said.

Several parents told FOX10 News they were never notified of the incident.

Officials with the MCPSS said they were told this was a parent-related incident and not a stranger. The school system expects to comment further Friday morning.

Meanwhile, authorities are actively looking for the man.

They said he drove off in a dirty green jeep. He is described as a white male, 6-feet or taller, medium build, with gray or dirty blond hair. If you have any information, contact Citronelle Police.