Two suspects have been questioned after a 13-year-old girl reported she was pulled into woods near Mossy Oaks Elementary School and assaulted Monday evening, Beaufort police say.
Chief Matt Clancy said three girls were playing at the playground at about 5 p.m. when two of them ran home to charge a cellphone. When they returned with an adult, the third girl was missing.
Her companions found her in the woods, Clancy said.
The girl told police three unknown men or teens approached and asked her a question before pushing her into the woods. She said one struck her in the face. No sexual assault is suspected, Clancy said.
Two males -- ages 13 and 18 -- matching the girl's description were spotted nearby by police. They were detained for questioning but not arrested, Clancy said.
The third suspect was not identified.
Police continue to sort through "differing versions of what took place" and attempt to corroborate witnesses' statements, Clancy said. Those involved appear to know each other in some way, he said.
"We do not feel that there is a threat to the public at this time related to this case and would encourage parents to take the normal, common-sense approaches to their children's safety," Clancy said.
This is the second incident in two weeks in the woods near the playground. On Jan. 15, a group of children reported some men forced them to smoke marijuana. Clancy said the incidents do not appear to be related.
The playground is not considered a problem spot for police, Clancy said, in part because it is usually busy with people and activities at either Mossy Oaks Elementary or Beaufort Middle School, which is across the street.
Related content
Multi-tasking pushed beyond its limits by dismissal of Sun-Times photographers
Life on a curve: Burton woman fed up with years of car crashes in her yard
