Police sources tell Action News that four people are being questioned in connection with the kidnapping of a 5-year-old girl from a West Philadelphia school.
The names of those in custody have not been released and charges have not been filed so far. Police took the four from a home in the 6200 block of Walton Avenue, where the investigation had recently focused.
The girl was found alone in an Upper Darby park wearing just that t-shirt one day after she was kidnapped on January 14th. Sources say that something on the girl’s t-shirt was a DNA match to something in the house.
Police earlier said she had been assaulted.
The sources tell Action News they believe the people in custody include the woman who took the girl from school and the man who assaulted her. The sources also said police believe they have the girl who helped the 5-year-old out of the house.
The 5-year-old told police that her captors threatened that a bird would “peck out her eyes” unless she stayed under a bed. Sources say a bird was found inside the Walton Avenue home and that the bird will be removed.
Police earlier said the little girl led them right to the back door of the house on Walton Avenue when officers had her walking around in the area.
The house is located about half a block from Cobbs Creek Park. On the other side of the park is Upper Darby, where the girl was found.
Officers served the warrant at the home last Friday. Police went into the house looking for evidence that the child was there – including DNA.
Also last week, detectives had re-interviewed a 19-year-old woman who lives at the house. That woman also happens to work at the daycare where the 5-year-old would go after school.
The 5-year-old girl was kidnapped from the Bryant Elementary school at 60th and Cedar Avenue.
A woman wearing Muslim garb was seen on surveillance video taking the little girl out of her class.
The girl was found in an Upper Darby playground early the next morning and returned to her mother.
An $80,000 reward has been posted by the Citizens Crime Commission for the capture of the kidnappers.
The community of local Muslims says it is putting up at least $20,000 in reward money for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
