Watch CBS News

Haverford Township Police: Man Sexually Assaults Girl He Met On 'Whisper' App

Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook Twitter

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) - Haverford Township police have released a sketch of a man accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile girl after meeting through a popular dating app.

Temple University Looking Into Allegations Journalism Professor Francesca Viola Made Anti-Muslim Comments Online

Investigators say the juvenile victim and the suspect met on the app "Whisper," which allows users to post photos and videos anonymously.

The two then arranged to meet at the girl's house in Ardmore, where police say the man sexually assaulted her on April 22. The girl's parents were not home at the time.

Haverford Police: Man Wanted For Sexual Assault Of Woman He Met On 'Whisper' App
Credit: Haverford Police

The victim tells police the man went by the name "Joe" and smelled of cigarettes.

Health Officials Warn Against Drinking Hydrogen Peroxide As Remedy For Headaches, Allergies 

Police say parents should check their children's phones.

"These kids just don't realize what they're doing to themselves by putting all this information out there, it draws predators out there. We see it every day. She got herself in a situation she couldn't get out of quickly enough. She could've been seriously hurt, luckily she wasn't," said Haverford Township Police Chief John Viola.

Deputy Chief Joe Hagan added, "Being a parent, you should be concerned about these apps being out there because these kids are putting themselves out there with all the information they're putting up."

Police say they are concerned about the Whisper app because it uses location services to ping with other users, and all of that information can be deleted, erating any trail of contact, including messages and other communications.

The suspect is described as a white male, in his early 20s, with blonde or reddish hair with a short buzz cut, stubble beard, around 5-foot-7, stocky build and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue short sleeve shirt, black shorts, brown Timberland-style boots, and a gold chain around his neck.

Police believe the attacker had some degree of familiarity of the area.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect or any additional information, is asked to contact Detective Mark Johnson at mjohnson@havpd.org or 610-853-1298, ext 1234.

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.