Impacted dismissal at West Middle School on Tuesday, according to Cherry Creek Schools, was a report of an attempted child abduction, which was later found to be “not substantiated.”
The school district confirmed that all students are safe. Near the school, which is about a mile south of West Middle School, a Greenwood Elementary School student reported being approached.
Due to the report, West Middle School students were released by parent pickup only, as decided by Cherry Creek Schools. Instead of allowing students who typically walk to school to leave on foot, the school asked parents to come pick up their students.
Students at the elementary school were released at 2:45 p.m. before the report was made, authorities confirmed to Denver7.
Denver7
In an update Tuesday evening, the school district said law enforcement and district security determined the report of an attempted abduction is “not substantiated.” No child was abducted, and there is no evidence of an attempted abduction, according to Cherry Creek Schools.
The school district said it initiated the release process at West Middle School “out of an abundance of caution” and to allow law enforcement to “fully investigate the matter.”
Parents of sixth-graders must go to door nine on the northeast side of the school. Parents of seventh-graders must go to door 10 on the southeastern side. And parents of eighth-graders must go to door three on the southwest side of the school.
Parent-teacher conferences that were scheduled for Tuesday have been canceled.
Denver7
The school district’s full letter is below:
Dear West Middle School families,
We want to share an update about the report of the attempted abduction near Greenwood Elementary this afternoon. Law enforcement and district security have investigated the matter including reviewing video footage and determined the report of an attempted abduction is not substantiated. No child was abducted, and we do not have evidence that an attempted abduction occurred. The initial report was made by a Greenwood Elementary student who said they were approached near the school.
We thank you for your patience during the Parent Pickup process. We will continue following this process to ensure all students get reunited with their families safely.
We initiated the process out of an abundance of caution and to allow District Security and Law Enforcement to fully investigate the matter.
We thank the Greenwood Village Police Department for their swift response and thorough investigation of this matter. The safety and security of our students is our highest priority.
We want to share this information with you and offer some important safety tips. Please remind your child to be watchful as they are walking to and from school, to walk in pairs or with friends, and to avoid talking with and to never accept a ride from strangers. Also, remind students to report anything suspicious to police or a trusted adult at school.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe.
Sincerely,
Cherry Creek Schools
