A Phoenix man is in custody after investigators say he entered an elementary school under a fake identity and assaulted a 10-year-old girl.
Police arrested 25-year-old Abel Kai Gblah on Wednesday after he was reportedly found near Orangewood Elementary School, located at 19th and Glendale avenues. He has been booked on charges including sexual assault, kidnapping and a probation violation, and is being held on a $501,000 bond.
According to Phoenix police, the incident occurred around midday. Administrators contacted authorities after learning that an unauthorized adult had entered the campus. Investigators say the man accessed the school by claiming to be with the maintenance team, then approached the student as she headed toward the nurse’s office and falsely presented himself as a medical professional.
Police say the child was able to get away, and the suspect fled the building. Officers searched the surrounding area and located Gblah shortly afterward.
No additional information has been released as the investigation continues.
