Wayne Elementary School in Detroit (Credit: myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (myFOXDetroit.com) -
Lawrence Snyder knew something was wrong the second he spotted the child walking down the street.
"I (saw) the little boy walking up the street with his hands behind his back and he had no pants on. He had no shoes on," Snyder said. "His hands taped behind his back."
The fifth grader, who attends Wayne Elementary School, told police someone was banging on one of the school's doors. He answered and that's when he was grabbed by two men who forced him behind an east side Detroit house on Lakepointe and raped him.
They reportedly took off in a green pickup truck, and the alleged victim went to get help. Snyder called police and the teen's family.
"The parents got here before the police got here, and the little boy, he's all messed up, and I'm just like, okay, who does that now? This is what Detroit (is) coming to now."
The 13-year-old, who lived just a block away, was taken to St. John Hospital. Police started interviewing neighbors and searching for the crime scene. A detective told Fox 2's Taryn Asher the boy claimed it happened by a clubhouse and his shoes would still be there. Police couldn't find the scene, but we did right across the street from the school behind a woman's house.
"Oh my god, my heart just dropped. My heart dropped. That kid, his life is going to change forever. I've been a victim of rape. It never leaves you ever," said Shanita Jones, who lives in the home.
"I went to the school and (I) asked them... 'Do (you) know it was a little kid that was pulled from here and was raped? Do (you) have surveillance cameras on your doors?' And they told me that (they) do, but (they're) (broken). Are you serious?" said Snyder.
"It's crazy because why isn't security or anybody at these doors for these kids? Why should it be a student that has to open the door?" said Donyale Oliver, the alleged victim's aunt.
His family is stunned, once believing a school is one of the safest places for kids to be. Concerned relatives who got the frantic call returned to thank the man who came to the boy's aid.
The boy has now been transferred to Children's Hospital. Physically he is going to be okay.
We're told one of the suspects is black and the other is white.
Once we located the shoes, evidence technicians were called and searched the area. We're told nothing else was found.
Meanwhile, Detroit Public Schools spokesman Steve Wasko says district officers are working with city police on the incident.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:58 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:58:47 GMT
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:59:09 GMT
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:01:56 GMT
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.