'Suspicious Couple' in Whitpain Located, Looking for Missing Son
The couple were new to the neighborhood and were actually looking for their lost son.
Last week we reported on an incident in Whitpain that had local law enforcement warning parents about child safety.
Local resident Lisa Bergen had reported seeing a couple in a white PT Cruiser speaking with her son. The couple drove off when Bergen appeared and asked if they needed help. Bergen's son told her the couple told him were looking for their son, who was lost.
On Friday, July 1, Bergen was driving through her neighborhood and spotted the white PT Cruiser and couple with their son, who looked to be about 10 years old, said Bergen. She called the Whitpain Police.
According to an email from Sgt. Cathy Penecale of the Whitpain Police Department, the officer spoke to the resident, and “the occupants were legitimately looking for a child.”
“Apparently, they are relatively new to the neighborhood, and the boy got lost,” wrote Bergen in an email to Ambler Patch.
The couple did find their son and, according to Bergen, "the police officer let her know that she used very poor judgement and caused quite a panic in the neighborhood."
“It appears the incident was just as it appeared,” wrote Penecale.
“At the very least, this situation has raised awareness for what children should do when a stranger tries to talk to them,” wrote Bergen.
Trevor Jordet
2:52 pm on Monday, July 11, 2011
"the police officer let her know that she used very poor judgement and caused quite a panic in the neighborhood."
After reading the all the facts presented, I think the police officer was wrong on that point. if a strange car pulls up and talks to my child and they take off when I approach them, I'm playing it safe and calling the police.
a little panic in the neighborhood is better than a kidnapped child.