Alleged Sexual Assault of a Minor in Montgomery County

[Anonymous]

This 46yo man from DC followed a girl off the Metrobus and raped her in the woods at the intersection of Aspen Hill and Veirs Mill Rd. He made her uncomfortable on the bus, so she got off and he followed her.

Police are reaching out to the public because they think there are likely other victims.

My DD goes to RM, which is close to there, and there are tons of students who take the bus up and down Veirs Mill and Rockville Pike both to and from school. Talk to your kids, especially your daughters.

Glad they caught him, but this definitely makes me a bit wary about DD taking the bus, even during the day.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-accused-of-following-minor-off-bus-raping-them-in-rockville-woods

[Anonymous]

There are definitely serious safety concerns that have not been adequately addressed when it comes to kids riding Metrobus and Ride-On buses. This story is shocking. I don't know which DCC high school she goes to but I hope they're providing her with the mental health services and supports they claim to have at their disposal.

[Anonymous]

Put him in jail forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are definitely serious safety concerns that have not been adequately addressed when it comes to kids riding Metrobus and Ride-On buses. This story is shocking. I don't know which DCC high school she goes to but I hope they're providing her with the mental health services and supports they claim to have at their disposal.

I am sincerely hoping she is not a middle schooler. We have a good number of MS kids who ride the public buses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are definitely serious safety concerns that have not been adequately addressed when it comes to kids riding Metrobus and Ride-On buses. This story is shocking. I don't know which DCC high school she goes to but I hope they're providing her with the mental health services and supports they claim to have at their disposal.

Why do you assume she goes to a DCC high school? Or even any MCPS school? The article mentions nothing about school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are definitely serious safety concerns that have not been adequately addressed when it comes to kids riding Metrobus and Ride-On buses. This story is shocking. I don't know which DCC high school she goes to but I hope they're providing her with the mental health services and supports they claim to have at their disposal.

I live very close to there. That neighborhood could feed into RMHS (the Twinbrook area, by the library) or possibly Wheaton HS going the other way.

But, this man came from DC and could have been riding on buses all over the county. And it sounds like they do think there are more victims.

We had some school bus issues last year, and the transportation bus actually recommended having my kid ride the public bus because 'it's free anyway'. There are SO many kids who take the public buses in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are definitely serious safety concerns that have not been adequately addressed when it comes to kids riding Metrobus and Ride-On buses. This story is shocking. I don't know which DCC high school she goes to but I hope they're providing her with the mental health services and supports they claim to have at their disposal.

Why do you assume she goes to a DCC high school? Or even any MCPS school? The article mentions nothing about school.

Yeah, she very likely might attend RMHS, which is not a DCC high school. RMHS seems more likely considering where the assault occured. Or maybe even Rockville HS as you continue up Veirs Mill in one direction you head closer to RMHS or Rockville HS.

[Anonymous]

It says she got off the bus because she was uncomfortable, so it's likely she doesn't live right near where the assault happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This 46yo man from DC followed a girl off the Metrobus and raped her in the woods at the intersection of Aspen Hill and Veirs Mill Rd. He made her uncomfortable on the bus, so she got off and he followed her.

Police are reaching out to the public because they think there are likely other victims.

My DD goes to RM, which is close to there, and there are tons of students who take the bus up and down Veirs Mill and Rockville Pike both to and from school. Talk to your kids, especially your daughters.

Glad they caught him, but this definitely makes me a bit wary about DD taking the bus, even during the day.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-accused-of-following-minor-off-bus-raping-them-in-rockville-woods

And the dcum moms beat up and disparage the parents who don’t let their kids ride piblic transport alone. They will stay quiet on this thread and shrink.

I used to carry pepper spray around when I took public transport in another city. My DC does sometimes take the public bus, but it does worry me. They're not allowed to carry pepper spray at school, but I send them with it anyway and tell them to hide in in their backpack.

Not sure that pepper spray would have made a difference here with a largeish 46 year old man attacking, but my hope is that it would at least throw the man off for a second so that DC could run or scream or anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It says she got off the bus because she was uncomfortable, so it's likely she doesn't live right near where the assault happened.

Doubt she would have gotten off the bus too far from home. How else would she get home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It says she got off the bus because she was uncomfortable, so it's likely she doesn't live right near where the assault happened.

Doubt she would have gotten off the bus too far from home. How else would she get home?

She probably intended to wait for the next bus. But then he followed her off the bus.

[Anonymous]

Can we stop trying to dox this poor girl by guessing her high school, please?

I know it is human nature to try to find reasons why "our" children are safe, and that means guessing that this child attending some other school, but it's gross and unnecessary here.

I do think this is a good reminder to talk to our kids about what they would do in a situation like this. I absolutely understand why she got off the bus, because I'm sure that seemed reasonable at the time.

However, it might have been better to relocate next to the driver and ride to the terminal stop, or text a friend and ask them to meet her. Basically, you have to help teens come up with back-up plans for bad things, because none of us make perfect decisions in the middle of a crisis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This 46yo man from DC followed a girl off the Metrobus and raped her in the woods at the intersection of Aspen Hill and Veirs Mill Rd. He made her uncomfortable on the bus, so she got off and he followed her.

Police are reaching out to the public because they think there are likely other victims.

My DD goes to RM, which is close to there, and there are tons of students who take the bus up and down Veirs Mill and Rockville Pike both to and from school. Talk to your kids, especially your daughters.

Glad they caught him, but this definitely makes me a bit wary about DD taking the bus, even during the day.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-accused-of-following-minor-off-bus-raping-them-in-rockville-woods

And the dcum moms beat up and disparage the parents who don’t let their kids ride piblic transport alone. They will stay quiet on this thread and shrink.

I don’t think I beat up anybody but I do let my teens ride metro bus and will continue to do so. I’ve talked to them about safety and will continue to do so.

I feel awful for this girl. It is terrible that the choices seem to be to restrict our girls’ movement or risk sexual assault. I don’t want to live in a world where a teen girl can’t go to see her friend by herself or stay after school for an activity. This also could have happened if the teen had been walking. We are not safe as women and every day we all need to make hard choices about what we can do and where and when.
Prayers for her and her family. And agree this guy should never see the light of day. I would guess he was caught so quickly because his DNA is already on file. This girl is a hero for reporting it quickly and likely getting the rape exam. I hope her strength and courage in putting this guy away gives her some small comfort and sense of agency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we stop trying to dox this poor girl by guessing her high school, please?

I know it is human nature to try to find reasons why "our" children are safe, and that means guessing that this child attending some other school, but it's gross and unnecessary here.

I do think this is a good reminder to talk to our kids about what they would do in a situation like this. I absolutely understand why she got off the bus, because I'm sure that seemed reasonable at the time.

However, it might have been better to relocate next to the driver and ride to the terminal stop, or text a friend and ask them to meet her. Basically, you have to help teens come up with back-up plans for bad things, because none of us make perfect decisions in the middle of a crisis.

Good advice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we stop trying to dox this poor girl by guessing her high school, please?

I know it is human nature to try to find reasons why "our" children are safe, and that means guessing that this child attending some other school, but it's gross and unnecessary here.

I do think this is a good reminder to talk to our kids about what they would do in a situation like this. I absolutely understand why she got off the bus, because I'm sure that seemed reasonable at the time.

However, it might have been better to relocate next to the driver and ride to the terminal stop, or text a friend and ask them to meet her. Basically, you have to help teens come up with back-up plans for bad things, because none of us make perfect decisions in the middle of a crisis.

Or maybe my DD actually attends RM and takes the bus to and from RTC so I have some specific concerns about this incident.

I am under no illusions that ‘my children are safe’.

It’s gross and unnecessary of you to make assumptions as to why a parent might want to know more about what happened here and where the girl was coming from/going to.