Neighborhood on alert day after girl attacked walking to Fort Worth bus stop
Parents are keeping a closer watch on children in the Fort Worth neighborhood where a 13-year-old girl was attacked and badly injured as she walked to her school bus stop Thursday morning.
Police and neighbors stepped up patrols in the area on Friday and some who live nearby are on alert as children move about getting to and from school.
Fort Worth PD detectives could be seen searching around the area, looking for any clues that might lead them to the attacker who severely injured the girl as she walked Thursday morning along Calmont Drive near Laredo Street.
Danielle Morgan and her neighbors are keeping a close eye on kids walking home from school.
“Doing patrols and things like that. I think that’s something we definitely have to do,” she said.
The group stood in their front yards in the afternoon watching out for the children and anyone suspicious.
“You see people who are on drugs and can’t even function properly and are around these kids walking home and stuff like that,” Morgan said.
Some students could be seen exiting school buses in groups and some parents showed up to meet their kids at the stop.
Some who live in the community say they've noticed parents from an apartment complex making changes, not taking any chances with their children's safety.
“They are actually getting out and walking with their kids. They went past the gate and went actually up and down to the schools with their kids,” said neighbor Trino Sanchez.
For the children whose parents can’t be there when school lets out, volunteers like Morgan are watching.
“Everyone has to look out for everyone in the neighborhood,” she said. “But you also have to look after your own.”
The girl who was attacked remains in the hospital.
Police said they are going through video from a nearby school and a church. They are hopeful something will reveal answers or someone will come forward with information to help identify the girl’s attacker.
Anyone with information on the attack is urged to contact the police.