Stranger offers students a ride twice

IONIA, Mich. (WOOD) - Police are searching for a woman who twice offered two Ionia middle schoolers she didn't know a ride.

A letter from the district superintendent went home to parents Friday. It said two middle school students walking near their mother were offered a ride twice by the same driver.

It happened around 7:20 a.m. Friday on M-21 near Ionia Middle School, police say.

The driver is described as a woman in her late 40s with long brown hair. She was driving a newer Jeep Cherokee.

Ionia police say they have not gotten any similar reports and that it may have been a case of mistaken identity if the driver thought she knew the children.

But police say they are continuing to investigate because it was strange for the driver to ask a second time after the first offer was turned down.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ionia Department of Public Safety.

School officials also remind parents to talk to their children about what they should do in similar situations.

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The letter in full:

For safety's sake, I want to alert you to circumstances of an encounter that occurred today.

Two Middle School students and their mother were offered (and declined) a ride by a stranger as they walked along M-21 toward the Middle School this morning. The students were approached a second time by the same driver a short distance later as the two students walked together. They declined and called their mother, who contacted the police. The students were not hurt.

The driver is described as a female in her late 40s with long brown hair with patches of white. She was driving a newer Jeep Cherokee.

If you know anyone who fits the description, please call Ionia Public Safety.

Please be alert to and discuss with your children the do's and don'ts of situations involving strangers. Remind them if an emergency arises to call 911.

Thank you.
Sincerely,

Dr. Patricia L. Batista Superintendent