Montgomery Co. police continue search for man who inappropriately touched 5-year-old girl at library
ROCKVILLE, Md. - A 5-year-old girl was reportedly inappropriately touched Saturday at a Montgomery County public library. But despite the existence of surveillance cameras in the library, police say the actual incident was not captured on video.
Officials say the child was in the children's section at Rockville Memorial Library when the incident happened at around 6 p.m. Saturday night.
The library is located in a popular section of downtown Rockville on Maryland Avenue, filled with lots of shops and restaurants.
"That's pretty sad and it's a shame and it shouldn't be that way. You have a nice place here and there's no reason for that," said area visitor Nancy.
"It's very unfortunate. I know with my little one, I'm with him all the time. It's ridiculous," said Rockville resident Tia Littlejon-Adams.
Police are now working to identify a suspect. Some video captured inside the library shows the library's main desk and information area from the children's section.
However, surveillance cameras were not in the area where the incident reportedly occurred.
The man in question seen on surveillance video was lingering near the children's section.
The suspect is described as a male with a possible thin goatee and a medium build. He reportedly approached the young girl, pulled down her pants and touched her inappropriately.
Someone purporting to be the victim's mother says the incident happened in less than a minute while she was picking out a book.
Police say the girl and her family did as they advise -- she screamed for help, told her parents and they immediately called police.
On Facebook, Montgomery County Police addressed growing concerns about the refusal to release surveillance video showing this potential suspect, saying they appreciate everyone's concern.
They went on to say the available video captures several people on camera.
"Policy and law prevent the Police Department from releasing video until a specific person has been confirmed as a suspect in this incident," said Montgomery County police.