School District Addresses Attempted Abduction, Promises Better Communication

Note: The following is a statement from the Sumner School District following yesterday's report of at a school district bus stop on Angeline Rd.

Dear Families:

Your child’s safety is one of our top priorities. As such, we want to make sure you are aware of a situation that recently occurred with one of our students.

Today you may have seen media reports that a person attempted to abduct a student from Bonney Lake High School near a bus stop on Angeline Road last Friday. We are very happy the girl was able to free herself and get away safely. The incident was reported by the student and her family to the Bonney Lake Police Department and continues to be under investigation.

As not to interfere with an active police investigation, the District strictly adheres to the guidance of law enforcement regarding the release of information to staff and families. Yesterday the Bonney Lake Police Department contacted the media regarding this incident without allowing us an opportunity to alert our families or staff prior to the public announcement. We’re sorry that we were not able to inform families any sooner, and we are working today to share what we know.
Ensuring our students’ safety and well being is a priority. Please partner with us in our efforts to help keep your child safe while walking to and from school or waiting at a bus stop.

The following are some tips and safety reminders for students and families:

• If an incident of concern happens to any child, please call 9-1-1 immediately!  Please notify the school next.

• Plan with your child what he or she should do in a dangerous situation.

• Do not allow your child to walk home alone or loiter at school once the school day has ended.

• Never take a ride with a stranger and never approach a car if you do not know the driver.

We will be working with the Bonney Lake Police Department to improve coordination between our organizations. Families may contact the Bonney Lake Police Department at 253.863.2218 for further information about the attempted abduction.

Sincerely, Ann Cook, Communications Director