Watch CBS News

Reward Increased To $75K In Case Of Abducted Kindergartner From West Philadelphia School

By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- African American community leaders, stood with the Mayor and police investigators to announce they have increased the reward in the case of the 5-year-old girl who was abducted from her West Philadelphia school last week, kept overnight and found at a playground the next day. The reward now stands at $75,000, but that number is likely to increase.

Police say the little girl may have been targeted by her abductors, who asked for her by name when they took her from the school.

"We are going to continue to find money to make this one of the highest bounties in the history of Philadelphia," said State Senator Anthony Williams.

Senator Williams represents the district where the little girl was abducted. His donors put up $30,000.

Thursday, the city added $10,000 to the pot, since then the NAACP, the Labor District Council Local 262 and other African American leaders are stepping up as well. NAACP President Jerry Mondesire says it was important for the Black Community to band together.

"By our presence here today we make it clear that the sanctity of our children will not be held hostage to the no snitching attitude of our past," said Mondesire.

Tom Klein, who represents the victim's family, would not give specifics on the young girl's injuries, but said, "The crime here is as heinous a crime as ever been committed in this city."

If you have any information on this case, you are urged to contact police.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.