A new principal will begin work Tuesday morning at William C. Bryant Elementary in Cobbs Creek where a 5-year-old girl was abducted two weeks ago.
The announcement came at a meeting focused on improving school security. School officials also say 4 school employees will be disciplined because of the incident.
About 50 parents, students and elected officials attended the meeting, although the news media was not allowed inside.
"Our investigation found that we had to take action on four individuals and the school will have a new administration" said Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Dr. William Hite. Privacy laws prevented officials from giving details of the discipline.
Those four employees are said to have played some role in the lapse of security when the little girl was seen on surveillance video walking out of the school by a stranger.
The girl was found half clothed 16 hours later at an Upper Darby playground. For some parents, the meeting was little reassurance.
"I really don't feel safe with my son going here. I am thinking about getting him transferred" said Unique Thompson who has a 5-year-old attending kindergartner at Bryant.
The meeting, called by State Sen. Anthony Williams, also solicited security ideas from the public that may be implemented in the future.
"I live a mile and a half from here. So all of us are concerned here. I am a neighbor not just a public official. Bryant is a part of my history as a child" said Senator Anthony Williams.
Earlier in the day police announced they are looking for a third "person of interest" in the case. She's described as a 14-17 year old light skinned African American girl with a thin build and long straight hair that may go by the name "China" or "Chyna."
Some parents are hoping all the talk leads to action.
"What will they step up to the plate and do. Will this be just talk. Will they stay committed. This cannot happen again" said neighbor Lorine Davis, who attended the meeting.
School officials say the new principal, Michael Rosenburg, is a retired principal who is coming back to the school system and has a history of turning around schools. He begins his new job Tuesday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:25:38 GMT
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night. "It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 8:31 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:31:38 GMT
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.Dr. Kermit Gosnell
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:03 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:03:57 GMT
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:38:08 GMT
You ordered Grey Goose but got Popov? An undercover sting busts dozens of bars accused of serving you bottom shelf booze at top shelf prices, and one major chain was caught up in the bar boondoggle.
You ordered Grey Goose but got Popov? An undercover sting busts dozens of bars accused of serving you bottom shelf booze at top shelf prices, and one major chain was caught up in the bar boondoggle.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:32:02 GMT
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:37 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:37:35 GMT
We have been following the story of Herbert and Catherine Schaible for a while now. This couple lives in Philadelphia and are a faith healing couple who is facing murder charges for the death of their
We have been following the story of Herbert and Catherine Schaible for a while now. This couple lives in Philadelphia and are a faith healing couple who is facing murder charges for the death of their
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:43:10 GMT
Thirteen paintings by the famous Wyeth family of artists have sold for just over $2 million at a New York City auction.New Jersey businessman Eric Sambol sold the works by Andrew, Jamie and N.C. Wyeth
Thirteen paintings by the famous Wyeth family of artists have sold for just over $2 million at a New York City auction.New Jersey businessman Eric Sambol sold the works by Andrew, Jamie and N.C. Wyeth
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:31 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:31:19 GMT
AP Image
New Jersey's invasion of cicadas has started in the wake of two days of warm weather.The insects have started to emerge from the soil in droves for the first time in 17 years and that could make for
New Jersey's invasion of cicadas has started in the wake of two days of warm weather.The insects have started to emerge from the soil in droves for the first time in 17 years and that could make for
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:23 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:23:02 GMT
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:03:40 GMT
In the aftermath of the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, residents are starting to sort through their belongings that were scattered about as a result.
In the aftermath of the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, residents are starting to sort through their belongings that were scattered about as a result.
WTTG FOX 5 & myfoxdc 5151 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016 Main Number: (202) 244-5151 Newsroom: (202) 895-3000 fox5tips@wttg.com
This image taken from surveillance video shows the abductor with the 5-year-old girl leaving Bryant Elementary School.
