Two weeks after the kidnapping of a 5-year-old right out of her classroom at Bryant Elementary School, police have new information on a teenage girl who they consider a person of interest.
The lead was developed over the weekend from the victim herself.
"I credit this 5-year-old with being a real trooper," said Captain John Darby of the Special Victims Unit. "This young girl, when asked her name provided the name of "China."
Special victims investigators took the little girl back to the neighborhood Friday night and Saturday. She lead them to the 6200 block of Larchwood Street, right around the corner from the school.
Police believe she may have been held in a house somewhere nearby.
"Their path took them well into the 6200 block of Larchwood Street almost to 63rd. Street. At that point the child could not go any further," Capt. Darby explained.
"Somebody in this area knows," State Sen. Anthony Williams said. He's a man on a mission. He wants to help police find out who kidnapped the five year old girl and put those people behind bars as quickly as possible.
"Somebody in this area not only saw, but participated beyond the people who were involved, that's what my gut is telling me," he said. "Some people close to the situation."
Sen. Williams helped get the reward for the kidnappers raised to $80,000, a good chunk of the reward money came from Williams, who lives in the very same neighborhood where police believe the kidnappers took the little girl after she was abducted.
Williams thinks the break in the two week old case will come right from this community.
They have a name, some set of facts, some information that will crack this thing for us," Williams added.
As Williams presses the community for answers leading to some arrests, sources tell FOX 29 surveillance cameras at a local auto repair garage at 61st and Larchwood captured the female abductor and the 5-year-old walking down 61st towards Larchwood moments after the abduction. Where she went next could be the key to cracking the case.
"We're gonna keep pressing, we're gonna keep pushing because nobody deserves this, particularly an innocent beautiful little girl like this," Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross said.
The person of interest, named "China," is 14-17 years old and is described as a light skinned African American female with a thin build and long black straight hair.
Anyone with information should call the Special Victims Unit or the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:04:25 GMT
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A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
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This image taken from surveillance video shows the abductor with the 5-year-old girl leaving Bryant Elementary School.
