Local
Jacksonville Zoo says it won’t comment after mother reports child approached in play area
A mother says a stranger tried to get her daughter to leave with him during a school trip Friday and that zoo staff waited until the next day to call police. The report comes days before the zoo’s Kids Free November promotion, which is expected to draw thousands of children.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A mother says a stranger tried to lure her young daughter away in the Jacksonville Zoo’s play area during a school field trip Friday afternoon. No child was taken or injured, but the mother says the zoo did not contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office until the following day.
The mother, who spoke publicly over the weekend, said zoo security told her another child had also been approached that day. She said staff delayed calling police while they sought to gather more information.
The mother also raised concerns about a lack of security cameras in part of the play area, which she described as a blind spot. She said the incident has made her fearful about taking her children on outings.
The zoo said it would not comment further when asked about the timing of its police notification. The mother said the experience occurred less than a week before Kids Free November, when thousands of children are expected to visit. The zoo has said it is adding rangers for the promotion but has not detailed other planned security measures.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office incident report had been requested but was not yet available as of Monday, according to the reporting. Zoo visitors who see something suspicious are urged to notify staff or call police.