Woman Approaches Child At North Fork Bus Stop With Stuffed Toy: Supe

NORTH FORK, NY — A North Fork school superintendent hs sent out a message to parents after a woman approached an elementary school student at her bus stop Friday, offering her a stuffed animal, he said.

Shawn Petretti, superintendent of schools in the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District, sent out a message to Mattituck, Cutchogue and Laurel families Friday.

Earlier Friday, he said, the district was notified that an individual driving a silver or white, four-door vehicle "similar to a Honda Fit" approached an elementary school student at her bus stop, exited the vehicle, and attempted to give the child a stuffed animal.

The student ran home, reported what had happened to her family, and police were contacted, Petretti said.

"The individual who approached the student is described as an older woman who left the scene when the student ran away," he said.

He added: "As a school district, our students' safety remains one of our top priorities." In light of the recent incident, Petretti encouraged families to have conversations with their children regarding strangers and the importance of remaining aware of their surroundings.

"If you or any of your family members experience similar situations, please contact our school and/or the local police department immediately," he said. Anyone with information about Friday's incident is asked to reach out, he said.

Southold Town Police Chief Steve Grattan told Patch that police had been notified. "We are taking the matter seriously and will have extra patrols in the area next week," he said.