Wayne Elementary School in Detroit (Credit: myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (myFOXDetroit.com) -
Lawrence Snyder knew something was wrong the second he spotted the child walking down the street.
"I (saw) the little boy walking up the street with his hands behind his back and he had no pants on. He had no shoes on," Snyder said. "His hands taped behind his back."
The fifth grader, who attends Wayne Elementary School, told police someone was banging on one of the school's doors. He answered and that's when he was grabbed by two men who forced him behind an east side Detroit house on Lakepointe and raped him.
They reportedly took off in a green pickup truck, and the alleged victim went to get help. Snyder called police and the teen's family.
"The parents got here before the police got here, and the little boy, he's all messed up, and I'm just like, okay, who does that now? This is what Detroit (is) coming to now."
The 13-year-old, who lived just a block away, was taken to St. John Hospital. Police started interviewing neighbors and searching for the crime scene. A detective told Fox 2's Taryn Asher the boy claimed it happened by a clubhouse and his shoes would still be there. Police couldn't find the scene, but we did right across the street from the school behind a woman's house.
"Oh my god, my heart just dropped. My heart dropped. That kid, his life is going to change forever. I've been a victim of rape. It never leaves you ever," said Shanita Jones, who lives in the home.
"I went to the school and (I) asked them... 'Do (you) know it was a little kid that was pulled from here and was raped? Do (you) have surveillance cameras on your doors?' And they told me that (they) do, but (they're) (broken). Are you serious?" said Snyder.
"It's crazy because why isn't security or anybody at these doors for these kids? Why should it be a student that has to open the door?" said Donyale Oliver, the alleged victim's aunt.
His family is stunned, once believing a school is one of the safest places for kids to be. Concerned relatives who got the frantic call returned to thank the man who came to the boy's aid.
The boy has now been transferred to Children's Hospital. Physically he is going to be okay.
We're told one of the suspects is black and the other is white.
Once we located the shoes, evidence technicians were called and searched the area. We're told nothing else was found.
Meanwhile, Detroit Public Schools spokesman Steve Wasko says district officers are working with city police on the incident.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:02 AM EDT2013-06-18 13:02:29 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-13 03:26:44 GMT
Less than 24 hours after a judge bounced Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan from the ballot saying he didn't meet the City Charter's residency requirements, a negative political ad hit the air.
Less than 24 hours after a judge bounced Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan from the ballot saying he didn't meet the City Charter's residency requirements and around the same time Duggan vowed to appeal, a negative political ad hit the air.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 8:49 AM EDT2013-06-12 12:49:07 GMT
This could be a game changer for Detroit's mayoral election. Mike Duggan was yanked from the ballot after a judge said he was not a registered voter in the city for a year before he filed his nominating petitions
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Tuesday, June 11 2013 10:38 AM EDT2013-06-11 14:38:08 GMT
It was late last week after the last day of school when parents received an unexpected letter in their email that reads more like more soap opera than something from a school district.
It was late last week after the last day of school when parents received an unexpected letter in their email that reads more like more soap opera than something from a school district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:20 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:20:12 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:58 GMT
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
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