Students Thwart Kidnapping After Maryland Man Attempts To Drag Middle Schooler From Bus Stop, Police Say

A group of schoolchildren in Maryland help save a middle schooler when a man attempted to kidnap the child at a bus stop, authorities said.

Around 7:20 a.m. on March 20, the Redland Middle School student was waiting at a bus stop in Gaithersburg when 30-year-old Jamaal Germany allegedly grabbed the child and pulled them toward an apartment building, police said, WTTG reported.

“Several students who were standing at the bus stop attempted to intervene and the victim was able to break free,” police said.

After boarding the bus, the children told staff what happened and the incident was reported to the Community Engagement Officer at Redland Middle School.

Police identified Germany as a suspect, and he was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

The motive for the alleged attempted kidnapping is unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.

The principal of the child’s middle school as well as the principals at the local elementary and high schools sent a joint letter to parents that explained the student was “unharmed” during the incident.

“We are grateful for the quick action of our students and the bus driver and for the support of our MCPS security and Montgomery County Police Department partners,” the letter states, noting the schools were taking extra steps to ensure student safety.

“Knowing that this may have been alarming for some of our students, we are providing social emotional support to all of the students who were at the bus stop and may have witnessed this,” the letter adds.