CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- A disturbing encounter with a stranger near a Chula Vista school, sent a 12-year-old boy running to escape.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mark - a 7th grader who usually walks on a sidewalk to meet his grandma a half-mile away – took a trail behind Bonita Vista Middle School. Usually around that time, there are many kids on the trial, but his mother, Mary, says he was alone at the time.
Mary says not far from the school, a man wearing a cap walked towards him and asked him a question.
“His exact words were, ‘Hey buddy, Can I walk with you?’” said Mary, who asked us not to use her last name.
Mary says Mark was taken aback, but acted quickly.
She says her son tried to walk away but the man shifted his body and blocked him. That's when her son spun around and took off.
Mark, a basketball player, raced back toward the school. “When he turned around the guy was gone. He disappeared so fast,” said Mary.
Later, a shaken Mark described the encounter to his emotional mom. “I’m so proud of him. I'm so happy and blessed that my child is educated enough to know and make those quick decisions,” said Mary.
She says she taught her children those lessons from an early age.
“I've actually show them photos of kids who have been kidnapped. My son has always been taught to never ever talk with strangers,” said Mary.
Mary posted the incident on Facebook to alert parents. “I just want every parent to know that this could possibly happen to them,” she said.
The man is described as a Hispanic man in his 30s, he's about 5'10" and skinny, with a beard. He was wearing a cap and a blue lanyard at the time of the incident.
Chula Vista police say it doesn't appear a crime was committed, but they are still hoping to get more information.
