AURORA, Colo. — When a man came onto elementary school property last week and tried to grab a child, the other children ran and yelled "stranger danger!" according to the arrest affidavit for the suspect.
Solomon Galligan, 33, was caught on surveillance video coming onto a field at Black Forest Hills Elementary School where school children were playing around 2:20 p.m. Friday, according to the Aurora Police affidavit.
The video shows Galligan walking up to children in a field. A few seconds later, the children were seen running after Galligan lunges toward them, the affidavit states.
The video shows that as the children ran, the suspect attempted to grab one of the students. The child ran away after Galligan tripped over a white blanket he was carrying. He got up and continued toward the child, according to the affidavit.
Witnesses told police that the children yelled "stranger danger" to alert adults, and the suspect stopped walking toward the child, the affidavit says. He left school grounds and headed east.
The sole child whom the man went after told police the man was wearing a blue hoodie and dark pants and had long dreadlocks, according to the affidavit. The child told police the man had white powder on his face and smelled like alcohol.
Parent Casey Hotchkiss said she received notice of the incident that had occurred on school grounds Friday but didn't feel like she had the full story, upon the affidavit release.
"I think the communication is, 100%, the biggest trigger for most people because we’re going into it blind and we are trusting you're telling us the truth and when we find out things from the community and news sources that you aren't, it’s professionally incompetence," Hotchkiss said.
An email from the Cherry Creek School District to parents went out Friday afternoon:
Dear Black Forest Hills Community,
This afternoon during 5th grade recess, an unidentified adult male entered the field, approached a group of students, engaged them briefly, and then exited property. School staff brought students inside from recess and called district security. Police and security are now at the school looking into the incident.
Out of an abundance of caution, if you would like to pick up your child from school, you may do so. Otherwise we will dismiss as usual. We will have an increased security and police presence at school during dismissal as a precaution.
Cherry Creek Schools
"There’s a lapse here," Hotchkiss explained. "So how can I feel good about sending my kid here?"
Friday after the incident, a parent called school staff and said they saw a person matching the man's description at the Walgreens at East Smoky Hill Road and South Aurora Parkway, the affidavit says.
Officers went to the Walgreens and contacted Galligan, who requested he be taken to a hospital, claiming that he had been assaulted, the affidavit says. After being taken to an AdventHealth facility, an officer ran a background check and discovered that Galligan was a registered sex offender, the affidavit says.
Monday morning, the Cherry Creek School District responded to several dozen parents who showed up outside the elementary school.
The district confirmed it did not issue a 'secured perimeter' protocol, in response to the incident, which drew additional concerns from parents.
"We go forward when they give me a safety plan and they can take that attendance policy and throw it to the sky until they give me a safety plan," Hotchkiss said. "But I’m still being met with, 'We’re not ready, ma’am,' it’s been three days. Three days."
A statement from CCSD to 9NEWS said the district is continuing its investigation into the attempted kidnapping:
"We take all safety concerns very seriously and have launched an investigation into the incident that happened Friday. We are committed to being transparent and accountable to our community, and the school is in communication with families."
District PIO Lauren Snell included that the Black Forest Hills principal is available for one-on-one meetings with parents. She said those wanting to sit down with her can call the front office.
Galligan was convicted in 2011 on a charge of non-consent sexual contact, according to the affidavit.
He was arrested by Aurora Police on suspicion of second-degree kidnapping. He's being held in the Arapahoe County jail under $25,000 cash or surety bond. He's scheduled to be in court on Wednesday.
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