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Police: Phoenix man arrested for sexually assaulting student at Orangewood Elementary School

Lights on the back of a Phoenix police SUV
Tynin Fries/Cronkite News

A man is in jail after police say he went to a Phoenix elementary school and sexually assaulted a child.

Officers were called to Orangewood Elementary School on Wednesday after an unauthorized man made it onto school grounds.

The Phoenix Police Department says 25-year-old Abel Kai Gblah lured a grade-school-aged girl into a classroom, where he sexually assaulted her.

A statement from the Washington Elementary School District said the suspect gained access behind a student who was buzzed in through the main entrance. He was there for about 10 minutes and fled the scene before officers showed up. Police later located him.

"We understand how concerning situations like this can be," principal Emily Paterson wrote. "Please know that I am working closely with our staff and District Security to review our safety procedures and ensure we are doing everything possible to keep Orangewood a safe place for students and staff. Additionally, District Security will be on campus for the remainder of the week."

The suspect has been booked into jail on multiple charges, including sexual assault and kidnapping.

In a statement, police spokesperson Robert Scherer said:

"The Phoenix Police Department recognizes the impact this incident has on the child, the family, and the entire community. We are ensuring the child and the family have access to the full range of support services they may need during this difficult time."

More Arizona K-12 education news

Senior field correspondent Bridget Dowd has a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.