Deer Valley Unified schools on alert after alleged luring incidents

PHOENIX - A Phoenix school district is warning parents about reports of someone trying to lure students while offering candy.

Officials with the Deer Valley Unified School District announced that a student at Constitution Elementary and another student at Deer Valley Middle School reported similar incidents on the morning of Oct. 4.

Both students, according to officials, said they were waiting at a bus stop when a man drove up and offered them candy. 

One of the incidents happened near 19th Avenue and Union Hills Drive, while the other incident happened near 27th Avenue and Deer Valley Road. In one of the incidents, the child said they rode away on their bicycle, and the driver tried to grab them.

Police officials say the two incidents appear to be related. Officials have yet to release any details about the suspect.

Families in school district voice worries

As the investigation continues, families within the school district say they are alarmed.

"That really did scare all of us," said one parent. "Right now, the kid was able to get away – and it was a good thing he was on a bike – but what if it was a smaller kid who wasn’t able to?"

Some parents say their children will not be working home, alone, anytime soon. They also lectured their kids about "stranger danger."