Meeting addresses community concern after sexual assault of girl in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) -- A community meeting was held Wednesday night in Wilmington to help ease residents' concerns after a 4-year-old girl was sexually assaulted a week ago.

Police won't go into too much detail about the case, but they say they are going through surveillance video.

And that's giving residents some hope the girl's attacker will be caught.

Neighbors are struggling to piece together how a 4-year-old was snatched from their neighborhood and assaulted.

"It's just been extremely traumatic for us," said Michelle Windgrave of Pike Creek. "We have not had anything in that area of major concern."

New Castle County residents brought their concerns to Wednesday's community meeting, and they did leave with some answers from authorities.

Ann Pearce of New Castle said, "It clarified some things. I'm happy to see they're on it."

But there is still no sign of the 4-year-old's abductor. He allegedly lured the girl into his dark colored sedan last week.

She was discovered hours later 8 miles away, in Banning Park. She was alone and barely clothed.

New Castle County Police Chief Col. Vaughn Bond told Action News investigators have located surveillance video and are reviewing it.

He says scrolling through the frames takes time.

"It is time-consuming. It's not as easy as someone would think," said Bond. "We see some things that are of interest to us, but ... there is nothing we can say for sure."

The case has prompted parents to be more alert.

Laura Diaz of New Castle County said, "I walk around and keep an eye as she plays during her practice. If we see anything abnormal, I do come out. (If I) see someone that I don't know, I'm like, 'Get away from my child!'"

And that is something police are asking residents to do: be more aware, and teach their children about "stranger danger."

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