MARION – Chief Richard Nighelli and Old Rochester Regional School District and Superintendent Michael S. Nelson report that the Marion Police Department is investigating a report of a suspicious person that followed a girl on her walk to school Thursday morning.

At approximately 8:40 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, a student told her teacher that she was followed by a suspicious person while walking to Sippican Elementary School. The teacher immediately alerted school officials, who contacted Marion Police.

The girl told officials that she was walking on Pleasant Street when an adult, possibly wearing a mask, started walking quickly behind her. The girl ran the rest of the way to school and reported the incident to her teacher. The girl described the person as being about six feet tall and wearing dark clothing.

The incident remains under active investigation and police have interviewed witnesses. Anyone who may have noticed a suspicious person or suspicious activity in the area is asked to call Marion Police at 508-748-1212. Police are also asking area residents to reach out if they have doorbell or surveillance camera footage they can share.

Community members may have noticed an increased police presence at Sippican Elementary School today while the investigation was ongoing and police will be continuing with their investigation.