Police issue child predator alert in Queens

(Queens - WABC, February 20, 2007) (WABC) -- There is an alert for parents and their children.

Police are looking for a man they say sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl walking home from a school in Queens.

Not only did he allegedly attack that young girl, police say he also exposed himself to three other children outside a school. Now, authorities are asking for the public's help in catching the suspect.

"It is very alarming," one area resident said. "I didn't even know about it."

That was the reaction of many in this Queens neighborhood, when they learned that a sexual predator had been victimizing local children. There were three separate incidents last Friday.

Police say the most violent occurred near the corner of 110th Avenue and 195th Street around 4:30 in the afternoon. Officials say the suspect dragged a 13-year-old girl behind a house and sexually molested her. Rose Bailey lives just two houses away.

"I'm not shocked to hear about things like that happening today, but I'm really shocked to hear about that in the neighborhood," she said.

About two hours before that assault, near 109th Road and 190th Place, police believe this same man exposed himself to three children, ages 9 to 11. They may be students at P.S. 118, located just across the street from where the incident allegedly occurred.

The suspect is described as a black man, in his 20s, about 5-foot-8.

Theresa Howard, who works in the neighborhood, admits the incidents have left her shaken.

"Could it be my granddaughter?" she asked. "Could it be my grandson? My heart goes out to the parents of that child."

The 13-year-old was reportedly taken to a hospital for treatment. She is said to be recovering. Police say the other three children got away from the suspect.

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