Suspect Exposes Himself to Child at Elementary School

Another sex crime involving a child has Wake County sheriff's investigators, school officials, and parents concerned. It's not just what happened, but where, to whom, and how.

School officials are reviewing security measures at Fox Road Elementary School, after already toughening them up for the new school year. One of the changes is a mandatory identification sticker worn by anyone who enters the school.

The man who entered the school Wednesday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. wasn't looking for a legitimate entry into the building. He was looking for a victim, and he created one.

A nine-year-old female student was waiting in a classroom while her mother was in a teacher conference down the hall. She was alone when the strange man arrived.

School Security Director Greg Hauser says the man entered the classroom, exposed himself and fondled himself in front of the student. At no time did he make physical contact with the girl.

The man left, apparently unseen, according to Hauser. He says the school is safe, but the incident has many parents alarmed.

"What can you do?," asks parent, Sharon Mewborn. "You think you're sending your child to school to be safe. What security measures are they going to take?"

Hauser says more attention to strangers will be paid during the school day and after. For now, the incident is being called a crime of opportunity.

The suspect is described as a middle-aged black male with a slim build. He had either a bald or shaved head.