Community reeling in wake of assault on student

“My kids were out riding bikes two hours after it happened,” said Cyndi Bailey, a mother of five, ages 2 to 13, who lives on Martin Road not far from where the assault occurred. “Now we have to keep them in.”

The suspect, who police have identified as a 30-year-old, 5-foot-7-inch white male of average build with blue eyes and short hair, followed the girl as she walked home Monday at 2:20 p.m. on Martin Road, near Half Crown Court, police said.

“He grabbed her arm and tried to drag her into the woods, but she tripped and fell to the ground, screaming,” and the man fled, police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Reidy said.

The area recorded eight aggravated assaults and one rape in 2005, according to Howard County Police records.

Bailey’s 7-year-old son keeps asking her when the police will find the suspect.

“He’s concerned that there’s a person out there who wants to hurt other people,” she said.

Next door, Bailey’s sister-in-law, Marta Bailey, said she’s keeping her two children — the oldest is 5 — in the backyard if they want to play, at least until the suspect is caught.

“Nothing like this has ever happened around here,” said Marta Bailey, who has lived there for three years. “But you know, you have to watch out everywhere.”

On Wednesday, students clumped along Freetown Road, chastened by police and Atholton administrators’ warnings not to walk alone.

“Students are really scared about it,” freshman Bria Harrington said. “They don’t hang around here after school, and everyone is trying to stay away from the area where it happened.”

Principal Marcia Leonard sent a letter to parents, explaining the incident, and instructed students to stick together, be wary of their surroundings and report anything suspicious to the police.

Anyone with information is asked to call 410-313-3200.

jpalazzolo@baltimoreexaminer.com