Police: Unknown man tried to sign out 2 kids from Germantown school

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Friday, January 11, 2019
Police: Unknown man tried to sign out 2 kids from Germantown school
Police: Unknown man tried to sign out 2 kids from Germantown school. Katie Katro reports during Action News at 5pm on January 11, 2019.

GERMANTOWN (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are warning parents and children about an unknown man who tried to sign two children out from a school in the Germantown section.

Authorities said it happened Tuesday at Mastery Charter John Wister Elementary.

The suspect asked to sign out an 8-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl by name.

When the man was asked for identification he either made or took a phone call and then left the school.

Both the parents and children told police they don't recognize the man in the surveillance photos.

Police: Unknown man tried to sign out 2 kids from Germantown school. Jim Gardner reports during Action News at 6 p.m. on January 11, 2019.

A letter was sent home to parents alerting them of what happened, and Mastery Charter Schools released a statement to Action News which reads, in part:

"Keeping our students safe is our top priority. In addition to a dismissal plan to ensure students do not leave with unauthorized individuals, all Mastery schools have security guards, secured entries and security cameras. We take all measures to protect our students and keep them safe while they are in our care."

Parents we talked to on Friday were alarmed by the incident.

"Of course we're taken aback by what happened," said parent Roy Clark.

"I feel like it's very concerning, but I feel like the school definitely does a good job looking out for the safety of the children," said parent Christina Taggart.

If you have any information you are asked to contact police.

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