AURORA, Colo. — Parents of kids who attend Black Forest Hills Elementary School want the school to conduct an investigation into what happened after an attempted kidnapping on school property.
The Aurora Police affidavit said children were playing outside around 2:20 p.m. on Friday when video shows Soloman Galligan walking up to children in a field. The affidavit says children ran after Galligan lunged toward them. While running, Galligan was seen trying to grab a child, then tripped over a blanket he was carrying. Officers later arrested Galligan, a registered sex offender, at a nearby Walgreens. Galligan was charged Thursday for kidnapping and child abuse.
“In an era of transparency and communication, it feels like a layup and they missed,” said Nicole Jass, a parent whose fifth-grader was out at recess during the time of the incident. “Disappointed, I think, disappointed so much because I trusted them, you trust the district to take care of your kids.”
Jass said she and other parents are disappointed in the communication from the school.
“We got an email and a phone call telling us that there had been an incident during fifth-grade recess, that a man had approached a group of children and then exited,” Jass said. “Doesn't sound that alarming, right?”
“No one called a secure perimeter,” Jass said.
The principal also admits that was a clear mistake she and district leadership own. She said the school should have brought all students inside.
“Those are the three buckets of failure, in my opinion,” Jass said. “The people who were out on the playground, the principal, and the district officials who were aware of the situation.”
In an email to parents, Replogle announced changes that started this Monday, that read in part:
- "Mr. Chuck Puga, a well-respected retired principal from Smoky Hill High School, will be serving as acting assistant principal every day through the end of this school year.
- Additional district security coordinators are at the school this week to provide extra security.
- Mental health resources are available for students and staff. Black Forest Hills has a social worker and school psychologist, as well as a nurse in our building, to support students’ wellbeing.
- Our School Safety Team convened Monday and, through discussions with District Security, we are retraining all staff this week in security protocols at the school, including Secure and Lockdown status.
- I am changing our supervision spots on the playground to have wider views of where students play.
- Finally, I am reinstating our Watchdog Dads/Moms group so that parents and guardians can help play a role in keeping our school safe. A flyer will be coming soon."
“I keep walking by the school every day. They now have the TAs on the perimeter and watching the kids and really closing in the blind spots. Great, let's do that,” Jass said. “Happy about some of the things but it’s not comprehensive. It's not full and it's not enough.”
Jass said she and other parents are looking for more.
“What we have asked for is a full and thorough investigation, an independent investigation and for those involved to be put on administrative leave so it can be a full investigation,” Jass said.
“This is where I live. I don't want to move. I love this school and I want it to be earned back,” Jass said.
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