Kent Police are investigating an attempted child luring that occurred just after noon Thursday.

Officers were sent to Neeley O’Brien Elementary School, 6300 South 236th St., in Kent at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday after school officials notified them of the incident, according to a Kent Police media release.

Officers had a suspect description, but were unable to locate him.

The investigation revealed that the child, a female student at the school, was crossing an open plaza area from the main school building to an adjoining portable classroom around noon when a dark green van approached from an adjacent parking lot.

The driver called to the child saying, “Get in here.”

The child immediately ran for the safety of a nearby classroom and reported the incident to a school staff member.

According to police, the driver is described as a middle-aged, dark-skinned man, unshaven with thinning hair. He was last seen driving away from the school campus.

Responding officers searched the surrounding area for the suspect or his vehicle but were unsuccessful in locating either. Other Kent schools were also notified of the event and to be watchful for either the van or its driver.

“This is a very unusual circumstance” said Kent Police Lt. Pat Lowery. “We have not had a similar situation or reports of a like individual causing problems within our community.”

Kent Police and Kent School Safety Officers will work together to continue their patrols in and around Neeley O’Brien and other Kent schools in the coming days while their investigation continues.

Persons with information about this incident are encouraged to contact the Kent Police Department at 253-856-5800.

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